Identity development, often called identity construction or identity formation, refers to the process of defining your own beliefs, lifestyle, and sense of self. A primary psychosocial task of developmental psychology, our modern notion of this concept is based largely on the work of psychologist Erik Erikson, who theorized that identity formation is the key developmental task of adolescence; and James Marcia, who recognized the four identity statuses.
Identity versus role confusion, theorized by Erikson, that questions of one’s identity will occur throughout their lifespan in eight stages whereby one must resolve their issues before moving on to the next stage. The most important stage takes place in adolescent identity development when young adults engage in active exploration of their personality traits, gender differences, racial identity, and find identity achievement by considering and accepting values and goals that define their individual identity. At this point in the identity exploration process, the emerging adults can move into the next stage of Intimacy versus Isolation developing friendships and intimate relationships in late adolescence to continue defining their identity.
In Marcia’s Theory of Identity Status, identity formation is classified into one of four identity categories or ego identity status:
- Identity Diffusion – This status can be likened to Erikson’s role confusion, there is no resolution to adolescent identity.
- Identity Foreclosure – This happens when young adults choose an identity without exploring identity options.
- Identity Moratorium – College students or military recruits often use the moratorium identity status to postpone identity achievement status and explore different peer relationships, social contexts, cultural factors to continue per their personality development.
- Identity Achievement – Identity achieved status occurs when the adolescent’s identity formation process has been resolved. At this point an individual’s identity is confirmed by the values they choose to accept and nurture.
The process of identity formation can change and develop at any point during one's life; for many of us, our ideas of who we are and what we believe are an ongoing process, evolving constantly over our lifespan. For instance, one’s political identity may change from youth to middle age depending on socioeconomic factors or one’s chosen peer groups, or having a positive self-concept may support your racial identity over time.
Identity development can be exciting and fulfilling, but it can also be a source of stress or pain. It's not easy to question who we are and what we believe, especially when our answers might go against social, cultural, or family norms.
When worry over identity becomes especially urgent or persistent, it can lead to mental health symptoms and interfere with day-to-day life.
Identity development Symptoms
Symptoms associated with issues around identity development vary, but some common examples are as follows:
Anxiety or worry: You may think frequently about your concerns around your identity and find it difficult to focus your attention elsewhere.
- Sadness or depression: Struggling with some aspect of your identity might lead to sadness or hopelessness, especially if you are uncertain of steps you can take to resolve your concerns. Self-esteem issues may arise when dealing with identity confusion.
- General stess: You may have trouble sleeping or experience physical symptoms including muscle tension, headaches, and digestive troubles. Over time these factors may lead to higher health risks.
- Social or interpersonal challenges: Feeling unsure of who you are and what you believe might lead to difficult social interactions, conlict with fammily, friends, or loved ones. You may also experience a general sense of not fitting in and wondering how to feel socially at ease.
- Struggles at school or work: Especially if your worries center around your professional or academic identity, you might see negative impacts on your performance at school or work.
Again, identity development processes involve a wide range of factors, but a few areas in which people commonly experience challenges with their identity exploration include:
- Social identity: Social identity formation is based on who you are in terms of the groups to which you belong. These groups are usually defined by characteristics that the members share, whether physical, mental, social, or otherwise. Social identity theory posits that belonging to a group you identify with will drive self-esteem. Challenges arise because you may be unsure where you fit in or feel that your friendships are unstable. Some people worry that their social circles may not be accepting of who they truly are.
- Professional identity: Trying to align your responsibilities and values with your career development, job role, and ethical standards may have you wondering if the professional path you have chosen is the one you really want or feel as if your identity at work is misaligned with your identity at home. Especially for people who consider themselves creative or artistic, it’s also common to have difficulty balancing professional identity with creative identity.
- Family identity: Family identity is usually shaped by family structure, generational hierarchy, and character. Where you fit into the collective identity of the family may make you confused when you feel as if your values and desires do not match those of your family and wonder how to reconcile the two.
- Cultural, ethnic, and racial identity or religious identity: Cultural identity is deeply rooted in the common thread of ethnic identity — belonging to the same ethnic group and having a shared ethnic heritage. Ethnic identity development may include issues of race identity development, religious beliefs, religious practices, as well as family identity. When the norms and expectations of your background don't seem to align with your personal values, or you're navigating multiple identities that conflict with each other at times — it can exacerbate stress, along with pressures relating to social context, and discrimination against marginalized identities.
- Gender or sexual identity: You may be facing questions about your gender identity or sexual orientation, or feel unsure about these aspects of your identity. Social norms, family, and cultural contexts around gender binary and sexuality can add to these challenges, as can discrimination against sexual and gender minority groups.
