Does identity continuity promote personality stability?

Abstract

The hypothesis that identity continuity predicts personality stability was tested. Identity continuity at age 14 and at ages 14 and 18 personality was measured by raters using the California Q-sort. Identity continuity did not predict the rank-order stability of traits between the two waves of measurement, with the exception of conscientiousness, the stability of which was inversely associated with identity continuity. However, identity continuity did exhibit a slight positive association with personality stability when personality was measured using a holistic ipsative approach. Additionally, identity continuity predicted a mean-level increase in agreeableness and a mean-level decrease in neuroticism. It is suggested that future research include alternative measures of identity continuity and multiple closely spaced assessments.