TY - JOUR
T1 - Positive and negative valences of identities
T2 - Longitudinal associations of identity content valences with adaptive and maladaptive functioning among Japanese young adults
AU - Hihara, Shogo
AU - Sugimura, Kazumi
AU - Umemura, Tomotaka
AU - Iwasa, Yasuhiro
AU - Syed, Moin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2021.
PY - 2021/3/26
Y1 - 2021/3/26
N2 - Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory assumes that valence of one’s identity (i.e., identity content valence) defined by positive and negative identity elements is important for understanding patterns of (mal)adaptation. However, previous empirical research on identity and (mal)adaptation has focused on how individuals deal with identity issues (e.g., exploration and commitment), while neglecting identity content valences. In contrast, this study assessed identity content valences in terms of positive and negative identity elements. Theoretically, identity content valences affect (mal)adaptation, whereas individuals’ (mal)adaptation influences their identities. Consequently, this study examined reciprocal relationships between identity content valences and adaptation (i.e., prosocial behaviors) and maladaptation (e.g., externalizing symptoms) in a sample of Japanese young adults, including socioculturally relevant indicators of maladaptation (i.e., hikikomori symptoms and suicidal ideation). This study includes 2,313 Japanese young adults who participated in a three-wave longitudinal study. The cross-lagged panel model and random intercept cross-lagged panel model revealed reciprocal relationships between identity content valences and (mal)adaptation at the between-person level. Negative identity elements positively predicted suicidal ideation. Meanwhile, prosocial behaviors positively predicted positive identity elements, whereas hikikomori symptoms and suicidal ideation positively predicted negative identity elements. These relationships were significant only for socioculturally relevant indicators, suggesting the importance of considering sociocultural contexts.
AB - Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory assumes that valence of one’s identity (i.e., identity content valence) defined by positive and negative identity elements is important for understanding patterns of (mal)adaptation. However, previous empirical research on identity and (mal)adaptation has focused on how individuals deal with identity issues (e.g., exploration and commitment), while neglecting identity content valences. In contrast, this study assessed identity content valences in terms of positive and negative identity elements. Theoretically, identity content valences affect (mal)adaptation, whereas individuals’ (mal)adaptation influences their identities. Consequently, this study examined reciprocal relationships between identity content valences and adaptation (i.e., prosocial behaviors) and maladaptation (e.g., externalizing symptoms) in a sample of Japanese young adults, including socioculturally relevant indicators of maladaptation (i.e., hikikomori symptoms and suicidal ideation). This study includes 2,313 Japanese young adults who participated in a three-wave longitudinal study. The cross-lagged panel model and random intercept cross-lagged panel model revealed reciprocal relationships between identity content valences and (mal)adaptation at the between-person level. Negative identity elements positively predicted suicidal ideation. Meanwhile, prosocial behaviors positively predicted positive identity elements, whereas hikikomori symptoms and suicidal ideation positively predicted negative identity elements. These relationships were significant only for socioculturally relevant indicators, suggesting the importance of considering sociocultural contexts.
KW - Japan
KW - adaptive functioning
KW - identity content valences
KW - longitudinal
KW - maladaptive functioning
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85103320028&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85103320028&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/s0954579421000043
DO - 10.1017/s0954579421000043
M3 - Article
C2 - 33766181
AN - SCOPUS:85103320028
SN - 0954-5794
VL - 34
SP - 1516
EP - 1530
JO - Development and psychopathology
JF - Development and psychopathology
IS - 4
ER -