Bogaerts, A., (2023). Trajectories of adaptive and disturbed identity dimensions in adolescence: self-esteem, resilience, depression, and borderline

Question 1

To advance our understanding of adolescents’ identity formation and how it may play into their psychological functioning, this study investigated developmental trajectory classes of adaptive and disturbed dimensions of identity formation, and whether adolescents belonging to different trajectory classes develop differently on self-esteem, resilience, symptoms of depression, and borderline personality disorder (BPD) features. Three-wave longitudinal data from 2,123 Flemish adolescents was used (54.2% girls; Mage = 14.64, range = 12–18 at T1). Results pointed to four trajectory classes of identity formation: adaptive identity, identity progression, identity regression, and diffused identity. The adaptive identity class presented with stable high levels of self-esteem and resilience, and stable low levels of symptoms of depression and BPD, whereas opposite results were obtained for the diffused identity class. The identity progression class reported an increase in self-esteem and resilience as well as a decrease in symptoms of depression and BPD, whereas opposite results were obtained for the identity regression class. These results emphasize that adaptive and disturbed dimensions of identity formation are closely related to markers of well-being and psychopathology among adolescents, and could help identify adolescents with an increased risk for negative psychological functioning or increased opportunity for positive psychological functioning.

Answer 1

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Question 2

de 4 trajectory classes of adaptive and disturbed dimensions of identity formation

Answer 2

• adaptive identity
• identity progression
• identity regression
• diffused identity

Question 3

adaptive identity is associated with…

Answer 3

• high level of self-esteem
• resilience
• stable low levels of depression and BPD

Question 4

diffused identity was associated with

Answer 4

• low level of self-esteem
• low resilience
• high depression and BPD

Question 5

the identity progression class was associated with….

Answer 5

• increased levels of self esteem and resilience
• decreased depression and BPD
  (compared to before)

Question 6

the identity regression class was associated with….

Answer 6

• decreased levels of self esteem and resilience
• increased levels of BPD and depression

Question 7

implications van deze resultaten

Answer 7

These results emphasize that adaptive and disturbed dimensions of identity formation are closely related to markers of well-being and psychopathology among adolescents, and could help identify adolescents with an increased risk for negative psychological functioning or increased opportunity for positive psychological functioning.