On the Progression and Stability of Adolescent Identity Formation: A Five‐Wave Longitudinal Study in Early‐to‐Middle and Middle‐to‐Late Adolescence

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01492.x
• Publication Date: 2010-09-15T02:08:28Z
• Authors: Wim Meeus; Rens Van De Schoot; Loes Keijsers; Seth J. Schwartz; Susan Branje
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Adolescent; 4. Education; 05 social sciences; Adolescent Development; Models, Psychological; Self Concept; 3. Good health; Young Adult; Humans; Female; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Longitudinal Studies; 10. No inequality; Child

This study examined identity development in a 5‐wave study of 923 early‐to‐middle and 390 middle‐to‐late adolescents thereby covering the ages of 12–20. Systematic evidence for identity progression was found: The number of diffusions, moratoriums, and searching moratoriums (a newly obtained status) decreased, whereas the representation of the high‐commitment statuses (2 variants of a [fore]closed identity: “early closure” and “closure,” and achievement) increased. We also found support for the individual difference perspective: 63% of the adolescents remained in the same identity status across the 5 waves. Identity progression was characterized by 7 transitions: diffusion → moratorium, diffusion → early closure, moratorium → closure, moratorium → achievement, searching moratorium → closure, searching moratorium → achievement, and early closure → achievement.