Identity Formation, Body Image, and Body-Related Symptoms: Developmental Trajectories and Associations Throughout Adolescence

Abstract

Emerging evidence highlights the intricate link between identity and one’s body, however, integrative longitudinal research on this identity-body interplay is lacking. The current study used three-wave longitudinal data (Time 1: N = 403; 52.1% female; M age = 14.85, SD = 0.89, range = 13–19 years) spanning two years (2019–2021; T1 and T2 being pre-pandemic, T3 peri-pandemic) to identify identity trajectory classes and examine their co-development with negative and positive body image and various body-related variables (i.e., sociocultural pressures, internalization of appearance ideals, self-objectification, appearance comparison, and eating disorder symptoms). First, four identity classes emerged using latent class growth analysis (achievement, moratorium, carefree diffusion, and troubled diffusion). Second, using multigroup latent growth curve modeling, adolescents in less adaptive identity trajectory classes (i.e., engaging less in pro-active processes and more in ruminative processes) displayed higher levels of negative body image and body-related symptoms. The current study testified to the clinically meaningful associations linking identity formation to adolescents’ body image and other body-related symptoms.

Personal and illness identity in youth with type 1 diabetes: Developmental trajectories and associations.

“…This age difference may be indicative of normative identity maturation, which is characterized by increased commitment and exploration with age (Raemen et al, 2022). In addition, consistent with previous studies in community youth (Raemen et al, 2022; Vankerckhoven et al, 2023), the personal identity trajectory classes were predominantly defined by distinct initial levels of the five identity processes and to a smaller extent by differential changes in these processes over time. Overall, in line with previous studies, the present study seems to be suggestive of a rather slow and gradual process of identity maturation for many individuals (Meeus et al, 1999; Verschueren et al, 2018).…”

“…Finally, in contrast to carefree individuals, individuals in troubled diffusion worried extensively about identity issues and got stuck in a ruminative cycle. Interestingly, in line with findings in community youth (Vankerckhoven et al, 2023), troubled diffused individuals did show an increase in both exploration in breadth and in depth over time. These findings suggest that these youth seem motivated to find their own direction in life, but they are overwhelmed by identity uncertainty.…”

“…In community youth, previous studies have investigated the longitudinal development of commitment and exploration processes throughout adolescence and emerging adulthood. These studies have identified different personal identity trajectory classes resembling Marcia’s (1966) identity statuses: achievement, foreclosure, moratorium, carefree diffusion, and troubled diffusion (Luyckx et al, 2013; Raemen et al, 2022; Vankerckhoven et al, 2023). Across studies, achievement was characterized by relatively (i.e., as compared to the sample mean) high scores on adaptive identity processes (commitment making, identification with commitment, exploration in breadth, exploration in depth) and relatively low on ruminative exploration over time.…”

“…Finally, troubled diffusion was characterized by relatively low scores on the commitment processes, low to moderate scores on the adaptive exploration processes, and high scores on ruminative exploration over time. Trajectory classes with high levels of commitment and low levels of ruminative exploration (i.e., achievement and foreclosure) were generally characterized by the highest well-being (Raemen et al, 2022; Vankerckhoven et al, 2023). Research identifying personal identity trajectory classes in youth with T1D (or, by extension, other chronic illnesses) is lacking.…”

“…First, as Objective 1, we investigated how commitment and exploration processes develop over time by identifying personal identity trajectory classes. As no previous research assessing individuals with T1D (or, by extension, other chronic illnesses) has examined personal identity trajectory classes, we based our hypotheses on research in community samples (Luyckx et al, 2013; Raemen et al, 2022; Vankerckhoven et al, 2023). We expected at least five classes to emerge, mainly based on differences in initial levels: achievement (high on adaptive identity processes and low on ruminative exploration), foreclosure (high on commitment dimensions and low on all three exploration processes), moratorium (low to moderate on commitment processes and high on all three exploration processes), carefree diffusion (low on all five identity processes), troubled diffusion (low on commitment processes, low to moderate on adaptive exploration processes, and high on ruminative exploration), and possibly an undifferentiated class (moderate scores on all personal identity processes).…”