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Identity Processing Styles and Psychosocial Balance during Early and Middle Adulthood: The Role of Identity in Intimacy and Generativity

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Abstract

Identity styles and Eriksonian psychosocial balance were examined in young adults (N = 163; 64.4% women) and middle-aged adults (N = 132; 51.5% women). Participants completed self-report measures of identity styles (informational, normative, and diffuse-avoidant), identity commitment, and psychosocial balance (identity, intimacy, and generativity). Different patterns of psychosocial balance were found for each identity style, with largely consistent findings across age groups. The diffuse-avoidant style was negatively associated with all forms of psychosocial balance, the normative style was positively associated with identity and intimacy balance, and the informational style was positively associated with intimacy and generativity. Structural equation modeling revealed that identity balance predicted both intimacy and generativity for the diffuse-avoidant style (negative prediction) and normative style (positive prediction), whereas the informational style provided direct positive prediction of intimacy and generativity. The importance of an informational identity style for psychosocial balance during both early and middle adulthood is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the University of Northern British Columbia. Appreciation is extended to Jessica Madrid, Julie Orlando, Gail Pratt, and Cherisse Seaton for assistance with various phases of the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2L 4Z9, Canada

    Sherry L. Beaumont

  2. Department of Counselling and Advising, College of New Caledonia, Prince George, BC, Canada

    Michael M. Pratt

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  1. Sherry L. Beaumont
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Correspondence to Sherry L. Beaumont.

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Beaumont, S.L., Pratt, M.M. Identity Processing Styles and Psychosocial Balance during Early and Middle Adulthood: The Role of Identity in Intimacy and Generativity. J Adult Dev 18, 172–183 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-011-9125-z

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