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Selected Works of Rob Weisskirch
Article
Identity dimensions and related processes in emerging adulthood: helpful or harmful?
Journal of Clinical Psychology (2013)
  • Rachel A. Ritchie, Florida International University
  • Alan Meca, Florida International University
  • Vanessa L. Madrazo, Florida International University
  • Seth J. Schwartz, University of Miami
  • Sam A. Hardy, Brigham Young University
  • Byron L. Zamboanga, Smith College
  • Robert S. Weisskirch, California State University, Monterey Bay
  • Su Yeong Kim, University of Texas at Austin
  • Susan Krauss Whitbourne, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Lindsay S. Ham, University of Arkansas
  • Richard M. Lee, University of Minnesota
Link
Abstract
Objectives
The current study evaluated the mediational role of well‐being in the relationship between identity development and psychosocial functioning.

Method
A sample of 7,649 undergraduate students (73% female; mean age = 19.95, standard deviation = 1.98; 62% Caucasian) completed measures of personal identity, well‐being, internalizing symptoms, externalizing problems, and health‐risk behaviors.

Results
Results revealed that (a) identity exploration and commitment were negatively associated with internalizing symptoms, health‐risk behaviors, and externalizing problems through well‐being, (b) ruminative exploration was negatively associated with well‐being and positively associated with externalizing problems, and (c) increased levels of ruminative exploration appear more detrimental for men than for women.

Conclusion
The study shed light on the mechanisms through which identity processes are related to internalizing symptoms, externalizing problems, and health‐risk behaviors. The role of well‐being in these associations, and the potentially deleterious “side effects” of exploration and commitment appear to suggest new and important directions for identity research.
Keywords
  • Identity,
  • college students,
  • health risk behavior,
  • well-being,
  • self-esteem,
  • satisfaction withlife,
  • ruminative exploration
Disciplines
Publication Date
2013
DOI
10.1002/jclp.21960
Citation Information
Rachel A. Ritchie, Alan Meca, Vanessa L. Madrazo, Seth J. Schwartz, et al.. "Identity dimensions and related processes in emerging adulthood: helpful or harmful?" Journal of Clinical Psychology Vol. 69 Iss. 4 (2013) p. 415 - 432
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/rob-weisskirch/12/