U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Identity Formation in Early and Middle Adolescents From Various Ethnic Groups: From Three Dimensions to Five Statuses

NCJ Number
223688
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 37 Issue: 8 Dated: September 2008 Pages: 983-996
Author(s)
Elisabetta Crocetti; Monica Rubini; Koen Luyckx; Wim Meeus
Date Published
September 2008
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This Dutch study determined identity statuses for 1,952 early and middle adolescents based on 3 identity processes: commitment, indepth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment.
Abstract
Based on measurements of these identity processes, participants were placed into five identity clusters derived from Marcia. The "achievement" cluster (n=196) was composed of adolescents who scored high on commitment and indepth exploration but low on reconsideration of commitment. This cluster is characterized by a period of active exploration leading to a firm identity commitment. The "foreclosure" cluster (n=621) consisted of individuals with moderately high scores on commitment, medium scores on indepth exploration, and low scores on reconsideration of commitment. This cluster is characterized by strong commitments without having explored other possible alternatives. The "moratorium" cluster (n=400) consisted of individuals who scored low on commitment, medium on indepth exploration, and high on reconsideration of commitment. This cluster refers to adolescents' without strong current commitments who are aware of this, and are moderately active in considering various commitments. Those in the "searching moratorium" cluster (n=186) consisted of adolescents high on commitment, indepth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment. This cluster refers to individuals without strong commitments, but who are aware of this deficit and are intensely active exploring and searching for a commitment. The "diffusion" cluster (n=465) was composed of individuals with low scores on commitment, indepth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment. This cluster refers to adolescents who do not actively explore different identity alternatives and who lack strong identity commitments. These five clusters were significantly distinctive on personality features, psychosocial problems, and parental relationships. Age and ethnic background significantly influenced the distribution among the five identity statuses. Various instruments were used to measure commitment, indepth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment; personality; school anxiety and generalized anxiety symptoms; direct aggression; and parent-adolescent relationship. 1 figure, 2 tables, and 68 references