Identity Statuses as Developmental Trajectories: A Five-Wave Longitudinal Study in Early-to-Middle and Middle-to-Late Adolescents

• DOI: 10.1007/s10964-011-9730-y
• Publication Date: 2011-11-17T07:48:24Z
• Authors: Wim Meeus; Rens van de Schoot; Loes Keijsers; Susan Branje
• Keywords: Longitudinal Study; Identity Formation

This study tested whether Marcia's original identity statuses of achievement, moratorium, early closure (a new label for foreclosure), and diffusion, can be considered status trajectories. That is, we examined these are distinct relatively stable, over-time configurations commitment strength, levels in-depth exploration present commitments, consideration alternative commitments. The development in a five-wave 923 early-to-middle (49.3% female) 390 middle-to-late adolescents (56.7% female), covering the ages 12–20. Using Latent class growth analysis (LCGA), authors found that (1966) indeed Two kinds moratorium were also found: classical searching moratorium. Support was Waterman's developmental hypothesis model: number achievers significantly higher, diffusions lower, adolescence than adolescence. Females more often advanced trajectories, stable differences between trajectories psychosocial adjustment. Study findings highlight formation should conceptualized as an process.