Temporal Stability and Authenticity of Self-Representations in Adulthood

Abstract

The temporal stability of role-specific self-representations was examined in a sample of 188 young, middle-aged, and older adults. Considerable stability was observed for all self-representations. Central self-descriptors showed significantly greater temporal stability than peripheral self-descriptors. Temporal stability of self-representations was positively associated with self-concept clarity, self-esteem, and positive affect (PA). Age differences were obtained for three of the five self-representations, with older adults showing significantly lower stabilities for self with family, self with friend, and self with significant other compared to young and middle-aged adults. Assessment of the authenticity of adults' role-specific self-representations showed that greater authenticity tended to be associated with greater temporal stability. Authenticity and the number of positive daily events were significant positive predictors of the stability of self-representations.

Getting to Know Me: Social Role Experiences and Age Differences in Self-Concept Clarity During Adulthood

“…Paralleling findings regarding the stability of self-representations with age (Diehl et al, 2006), self-concept clarity had a curvilinear relationship with age. In both studies, when broken down across the age groups, this curvilinear relationship was due to significantly greater self-concept clarity with age for young adults and middle-aged participants and significantly less self-concept clarity with age for adults over age 60.…”

When failure hurts the most: Goal fusion and the impact of negative feedback on self-concept clarity

“…were stable and consistent across time. The implications of this research suggest that the more a person can feel and behave in a way that is consistent with his or her self-concept, the greater the stability of the self-concept (Diehl, Jacobs, & Hastings, 2006). Further research on the self-concept has focused on two sub areas: content and structure (Campbell, Assanand, & Di Paula, 2003).…”

“…The stability of the self-concept has been thoroughly explored in research. For example, Diehl, Jacobs, and Hastings (2006) found participants' selves (e.g., self with family, self with friends, etc.) were stable and consistent across time.…”

Self-concept in Older Adults

“…[21][22][23] Role-specific self-representations or identities rely on a definition of the self that is essentially social; it is shared by the individual, other people, and society at large. 7,22,24 Identity incorporates the domains of physical, psychological, and social functioning. Normative age changes in the body's ability to perform tasks needed in daily activities are most central to identity in older adults.…”