Different methodologies in the assessment of identity: Congruence between self-report and interview techniques?

Abstract

Convergent-divergent validity and reliability estimates for clinical interview and self-report measures of ego identity were obtained. Twenty-three males and 25 females completed an extended version of the Ego Identity Interview [H. D. Grotevant, W. Thorebecke, and M. C. Meyer (1982) "An Extension of Marcia's Identity Status Interview into the Interpersonal Domain,"Journal of Youth and Adolescence 11: 33-48] and the extended version of the Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status [H. D. Grotevant and G. R. Adams (1984) "Development of an Objective Measure to Assess Ego-Identity in Adolescence: Validation and Replication,"Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 13: 419-438]. While the two measures were expected to converge, little convergence was observed. The findings suggest that the two measures may be (a) assessing relatively distinct forms of ego identity, or (b) that the ego-identity construct as measured by the process (exploration) and outcome (commitment) dimensions needs further theoretical examination.

Promoting Identity Development in Marginalized Youth

“…Because of the potential influence of individual differences in identity development, the participants were matched on identity status (Markstrom- Adams et al, 1993). The instrument used to assign status, Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (EIPQ) (Balistreri, Busch-Rossnagel, & Geisinger, 1995), yields results that are reasonably comparable to leading measures in the field (Craig-Bray & Adams, 1986;Grotevant & Adams, 1984). Because of differences in the initial sample size and identity status frequencies, 2 IC and 27 CC participants could not be matched and were excluded from the present outcome analyses.…”

Profiles of Identity Exploration and Commitment Across Domains

“…More recent measurement strategies used in identity research have increased the number of domains to include not only occupation, religion, and politics, but also values, friendship, dating, sex roles, family, and recreation (Bennion and Adams 1986;Craig-Bray and Adams 1986;Grotevant et al 1982). These eight domains are frequently collapsed into one global identity domain or two ''grand'' domains-ideological and interpersonal (e.g., Adams 1985).…”

Intergenerational Systems Theory and Identity Development in Young Adult Women

“…The alpha coefficients for the combined scales of the EOM-EIS have been adequate to excellent (Bennion & Adams, 1986;Craig-Bray & Adams, 1986). In addition, the scales did not correlate significantly with the CMSDS.…”

“…Whereas men focus their energy on issues related to individual competence and occupational choices to define who they are, women tend to invest their energy on interpersonal relationships (Enns, 1991;Gilligan, 1982). Perhaps the use of an interview to assess the identity statuses would have added depth and richness to the data (Craig- Bray & Adams, 1986;Kamptner, 1988).…”

“…In addition, the scales did not correlate significantly with the CMSDS. Evidence for the validity of the EOM-EIS has been reported in numerous studies in which EOM-EIS scores were correlated with other measures of identity (Bennion & Adams, 1986;Berzonsky, 1989a;Craig-Bray & Adams, 1986) and related variables (Blustein, Divines, & Kidney, 1989).…”