Identity Status and Authoritarianism: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This investigation was undertaken to examine the relationship between identity status and authoritarianism through techniques of meta-analysis. Identity theory and earlier research have suggested associations between these constructs, but they have not previously been submitted to meta-analysis procedures. This analysis examined the hypothesis that foreclosures would score significantly higher on measures of authoritarianism than achievement, moratorium, or diffusion statuses. An initial database of 565 empirical studies of Marcia's identity statuses, conducted between 1966–2005, was identified from the PsycINFO, ERIC, Sociological s, and Dissertation s International databases using the following search terms: “identity status,” “identity and Marcia,” “identity and Marcia's,” and “ego identity.” Thirteen of these studies examined the relationship between identity status and authoritarianism, and nine (N = 861) provided sufficient data for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Hedges's g was the effect size measure used in analyses, and results showed the mean Hedges's g for the foreclosure status to be significantly higher than for all other identity statuses. Furthermore, these effect sizes were all large in terms of Cohen's criteria and were significant. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future research.