The role of identity commitments in depressive symptoms and stressful life events in adolescence and young adulthood.

Abstract

The formation of a stable identity, consisting of a strong set of commitments, is a key developmental task in adolescence and young adulthood. Not resolving this task and lacking strong identity commitments is related to difficulties like depressive symptoms and stressful life events. However, the exact role of identity commitments in these negative experiences has remained unclear. In two longitudinal studies in the Netherlands spanning 8 and 6 years, respectively, we examined the associations between career and interpersonal commitments, depressive symptoms, and the number of experienced stressful life events over time. Study 1 included 683 adolescents (11 to 15 years at T1) and 268 adolescents and young adults (16 to 20 years at T1). Study 2 included 960 adolescents (12 to 17 years at T1) and 944 young adults (18 to 24 years at T1). Both studies indicated that stronger identity commitments predicted relative decreases in negative experiences. In Study 2, stronger interpersonal commitments predicted relative decreases in depressive symptoms. In both studies, stronger career commitments predicted a relative decrease in stressful life events. Furthermore, only career commitments weakened after negative experiences. Interpersonal commitments did not weaken after negative experiences, possibly because of the importance of interpersonal relationships during difficult times. Moreover, identity commitments did not buffer the effect of stressful life events on depressive symptoms in either study. These findings underscore the importance of identity commitments in adolescence and young adulthood, but provide crucial nuances regarding their role in different life domains. (PsycINFO Database Record

Stressful life events and identity development in early and mid‐adolescence

“…Contrary to our expectation, we did not find evidence that the experience of a stressful event is related to change in identity (Tables 4 and 5). As such, our findings are partially consistent with an earlier study which revealed that stressful events were related to occupational, but not relational commitment, in adolescence (Van Doeselaar et al, 2018). However, our findings are inconsistent with studies on stressful events and identity in adulthood, which revealed decreases in commitment and increases in exploration and reconsideration within individuals following the occurrence of an event (e.g., Anthis, 2002).…”

“…This effect may be especially apparent in adolescence, a period characterized by development and transition (Lewin, 1939), as life events that occur during transitional periods are thought to have more or longer-lasting effects (Graber, Brooks-Gunn, & Peterson, 1996). The effect of life events on identity has as of yet received little empirical investigation in adolescence (however, see Van Doeselaar, Klimstra, Denissen, Branje, & Meeus, 2018).…”

Longitudinal links between identity and substance use in adolescence

“…Conversely, a strong identity may protect adolescents from substance use. For instance, recent research showed that having strong commitments predicted fewer experienced stressful life events (Van Doeselaar et al, 2017). Therefore, having a strong identity may also protect adolescents from life stress-associated substance use.…”

“…Consistent with this notion, identity issues, such as the inability to commit to an identity, have been associated with a range of indicators of poor psychosocial adjustment. For example, less committed individuals are more likely to report increased levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and are more likely to reside in poorly functioning families (Crocetti et al, 2009;Schwartz et al, 2005;Van Doeselaar et al, 2017). Moreover, identity diffusion has been linked to substance use (Arnett, 2005;Schwartz et al, 2011).…”

Longitudinal Links between Identity and Substance Use in Adolescence

“…Consistent with this notion, identity disruption issues, such as the inability to commit to an identity, have been associated with a range of indicators of poor psychosocial adjustment. For example, less committed individuals are more likely to report increased levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and are more likely to reside in poorly functioning families (Crocetti, Klimstra, Keijsers, Hale, & Meeus, 2009;Van Doeselaar, Klimstra, Denissen, Branje, & Meeus, 2017;Schwartz, Pantin, Prado, Sullivan, & Szapocznik, 2005). Moreover, identity diffusion has been linked to substance use (Arnett, 2005;Schwartz et al, 2011).…”