Developmental Tendency of Identity in Adolescence and Young Adulthood and Relationships between Identity and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

This study aimed to examine relationships between identity and life satisfaction in adolescence and young adulthood based on an extensive cross-sectional survey. Participants in this survey included a total of 14,428 adolescents and young adults (55.2% female) (Mean age＝20.55, SD＝4.13). First, multivariate analysis of variance indicated that early and middle adolescents scored high on synthesis when compared to late adolescents and young adults; whereas, late adolescents and young adults scored high on confusion when compared to early and middle adolescents. Second, cluster analysis identified four identity profiles: high synthesis, high confusion, both high, and both low. Third, chi-square tests revealed that early and middle adolescents tended to be classified into high synthesis, while late adolescents and young adults were classified into high confusion. Fourth, correlation analysis showed that synthesis was positively related to life satisfaction, and confusion was negatively related. Last, analysis of variance indicated that the high synthesis profile scored higher on life satisfaction when compared with the high confusion profile. Implications and future directions are discussed.