The relationship between identity processes and well-being in various life domains

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between identity processes and well-being across various life domains. We adopted a three-dimensional model of identity formation that consisted of three processes, namely, in-depth exploration, commitment, and reconsideration of commitment, and applied a domain-specific approach to examine the contribution of identity processes to well-being in various life domains. This study included 1312 participants aged 19 to 35years. We used the Mental Health Continuum - Short Form and Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being to measure well-being and the Warsaw Measurement of Identity Commitments Scale to examine identity processes in the following domains: Personality characteristics, Worldview, Hobbies and interests, Experiences from the past, Future plans, Family relationships, Relationships with friends and acquaintances, and Occupation. The results indicated that, in many identity domains, commitment and indepth exploration were found to be significant positive predictors of well-being, while reconsideration of commitment was found to be a negative predictor. However, after analyzing all domains and controlling for shared variance, it was concluded that the domains were not equivocal in their contributions to well-being but rather that the personality domain was the most important with respect to well-being.