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Cited by 44Identity, Memory, and TherapyAging and Gerontology ResearchEgo Development and Educational Practices

Implications of identity resolution in emerging adulthood for intimacy, generativity, and integrity across the adult lifespan.

Open access
Mitchell, Lauren L., Lodi-Smith, Jennifer, Baranski, Erica N., Whitbourne, Susan Krauss·2021·Psychology and Aging
DOI 10.1037/pag0000537PMC PMC8455066
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Abstract

= 1,224), with up to five assessments spanning the twenties through the sixties. Latent growth curve modeling was used to estimate developmental trajectories for intimacy, generativity, and integrity, and to test the association between emerging adulthood identity resolution and growth parameters for each psychosocial outcome. Findings suggested that individuals with higher emerging adulthood identity resolution also experienced high levels of intimacy, generativity, and integrity in emerging adulthood, and these levels remained consistently high across adulthood. In contrast, those with lower identity resolution in emerging adulthood experienced lower initial levels of intimacy, generativity, and integrity, but faster growth over time. As a result, these trajectories appeared to nearly converge by the time participants were in their sixties, suggesting that one's emerging adulthood identity has less importance over time, and that individuals who struggled more with identity formation in adolescence and emerging adulthood are able to make up for it later in life. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1037/pag0000537

Cites

26 of 26 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Claims the paper makes

0 of 65 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    In the RALS sample, individuals with higher emerging adulthood identity resolution had high initial levels of intimacy.

    “Findings suggested that individuals with higher emerging adulthood identity resolution also experienced high levels of intimacy, generativity, and integrity in emerging adulthood, and these levels remained consistently high across adulthood.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Individuals with lower emerging adulthood identity resolution had lower initial levels of intimacy.

    “In contrast, those with lower identity resolution in emerging adulthood experienced lower initial levels of intimacy, generativity, and integrity, but faster growth over time.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    For individuals with higher emerging adulthood identity resolution, intimacy levels remained consistently high across adulthood.

    “Findings suggested that individuals with higher emerging adulthood identity resolution also experienced high levels of intimacy, generativity, and integrity in emerging adulthood, and these levels remained consistently high across adulthood.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Individuals with lower emerging adulthood identity resolution showed faster growth over time in intimacy.

    “In contrast, those with lower identity resolution in emerging adulthood experienced lower initial levels of intimacy, generativity, and integrity, but faster growth over time.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    For individuals with higher emerging adulthood identity resolution, integrity levels remained consistently high across adulthood.

    “Findings suggested that individuals with higher emerging adulthood identity resolution also experienced high levels of intimacy, generativity, and integrity in emerging adulthood, and these levels remained consistently high across adulthood.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 30
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 36

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Emerging adulthood identity resolution was significantly associated with both the intercept and slope of intimacy.

    “For intimacy, emerging adulthood identity was significantly associated with intercept and slope (see Table 4, Figure 2b).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Sex and cohort were not significantly associated with the growth parameters for integrity.

    “Sex and cohort were not significantly associated with the growth parameters for integrity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Birth cohort was unrelated to all outcomes except that later cohorts tended to have lower levels of ego integrity in emerging adulthood.

    “Birth cohort was unrelated to all outcomes except that later cohorts tended to have lower levels of ego integrity in emerging adulthood, consistent with past RALS research (Whitbourne et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Whitbourne et al., 2009 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Women tended to score slightly higher than men on intimacy, generativity, and integrity in emerging adulthood, with no gender differences in slope, suggesting gender differences persisted over time.

    “First, we found that women tended to score slightly higher than men on intimacy, generativity, and integrity in emerging adulthood, and there were no gender differences in slope, suggesting that gender differences persisted over time.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Identity resolution was significantly associated with both the intercept and slope of generativity.

    “For generativity, identity resolution was also associated with intercept and slope, in a similar pattern (see Table 4, Figure 2d).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Neither sex nor cohort predicted different rates of change in generativity.

    “Cohort was not significantly associated with baseline generativity, and neither sex nor cohort predicted different rates of change in generativity.2”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The indirect path from identity to generativity through intimacy was significant (b = .07) but smaller than the direct path (b = .18).

    “The indirect path from identity to generativity via intimacy was significant (b = .07, p <.001), though smaller than the direct path from identity to generativity (b = .18, p <.001).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The mediation analyses assume no unmeasured confounding of the mediator-outcome relationships.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Neither sex nor cohort was significantly associated with the intimacy slope.

    “Neither sex nor cohort was significantly associated with slope.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Higher identity resolution was associated with persistently high levels on each psychosocial construct, whereas lower identity resolution predicted lower initial levels and gradual increases over time.

    “We found that higher identity resolution was associated with persistently high levels on each of these psychosocial constructs, whereas lower identity resolution predicted lower initial levels and gradual increases over time.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    Little empirical work has tested how early-life identity development affects progression through later psychosocial stages in Erikson's model.

    “However, little empirical work has tested the consequences of early-life identity development for progression through the subsequent psychosocial stages in Erikson’s model.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Erikson's psychosocial stage model holds that identity formation is a central developmental task of adolescence and that resolving the identity versus role confusion crisis then affects psychosocial development through adulthood.

    “Erikson’s psychosocial stage model posits that identity formation is a key developmental task for adolescents, and that successfully resolving the identity vs. role confusion crisis at this time of life has important impacts on psychosocial development through adulthood.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1950; 1968

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The stage of integrity is most closely associated with the late decades of life and centers on self-acceptance and satisfaction with how one has lived.

    “Finally, the stage of integrity is most closely associated with the late decades of life, and centers around self-acceptance and satisfaction with the way one has lived one’s life.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The analyses controlled for participant sex and birth cohort.

    “We controlled for sex and cohort in these analyses.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    During the identity versus role confusion stage, youth establish initial perspectives on leader and follower roles that inform generativity, and on ideology and values that inform integrity, setting the stage for later development.

    “Furthermore, during the identity vs. role confusion stage, youth establish initial perspectives on leader and follower roles that inform their development of generativity, and on ideology and values that inform their development of integrity, thus “setting the stage” for development of generativity and integrity through subsequent decades of life.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1968

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Erikson also suggested that each of the eight psychosocial constructs is present at all stages of life and remains malleable across the lifespan.

    “At the same time, Erikson (1950; 1968) also suggested that each of the eight psychosocial constructs are present at all stages of life, and these constructs remain malleable across the lifespan.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1950; 1968

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Adolescence and emerging adulthood are typically viewed as an especially crucial period for identity development.

    “Typically, adolescence and emerging adulthood are seen as an especially crucial time for identity development (Erikson, 1968; Arnett, 2015; Schwartz et al., 2013; Meeus, 2011; McLean & Syed, 2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1968; Arnett, 2015; Schwartz et al., 2013; Meeus, 2011; McLean & Syed, 2015

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Attrition within the other cohorts ranged from 65% to 62%.

    “Attrition within the other cohorts ranges from 65% to 62%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisenone given

    The capacity for intimacy is critical for establishing stable, positive romantic relationships, close friendships, and other relationships involving deep trust and attachment.

    “This capacity is critical for establishing stable, positive romantic relationships, as well as close friendships and other relationships that involve a deep sense of trust and attachment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisereasoning

    The extent to which progression through Erikson's stages depends on resolution of previous developmental tasks remains unclear.

    “Thus, the extent to which progression through the stages in Erikson’s model depends on the resolution of previous developmental tasks remains unclear.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The IPD integrity subscale had Cronbach's alpha values ranging from .69 to .78.

    “Alpha was .64 for identity, and ranged from .66–.76 for intimacy, .36–.61 for generativity, and .69-.78 for integrity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisereasoning

    The self-acceptance that forms the basis of integrity relies on a profound understanding of one's identity, including values, principles, awareness of flaws and strengths, and comfort with oneself.

    “The kind of self-acceptance that forms the basis of integrity relies on a profound understanding of one’s identity: one’s deepest values and principles, an awareness of one’s own flaws balanced against one’s strengths and contributions, and an overall sense of comfort with oneself.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Prior research with the RALS estimated that intimacy follows a slightly curved trajectory, with steeper growth across early adulthood and leveling off slightly across mid-life.

    “Specifically, this work suggested that intimacy follows a slightly curved trajectory, with steeper growth across early adulthood, and leveling off slightly across mid-life.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Whitbourne et al., 2009 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Prior research with the RALS has found that women tend to score higher on intimacy than men.

    “Indeed, prior research with the RALS has investigated the moderating effects of gender and birth cohort on trajectories of psychosocial development, revealing, for instance, that women tend to score higher on intimacy than men (Whitbourne et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Whitbourne et al., 2009 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Identity performs a crucial integrative function for an individual's traits, needs, goals, abilities, and commitments, pulling them into a coherent whole.

    “Among the eight psychosocial stages, identity in particular is seen as performing a crucial integrative function for an individual’s traits, needs, goals, abilities, and commitments, pulling together these aspects of the self into a coherent whole (Erikson, 1982).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1982

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The present study was declared exempt from review by the Minneapolis VA IRB.

    “The present study was declared exempt from review by the Minneapolis VA IRB (VAM-19–00430).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    The RALS is perhaps the only longitudinal study currently available that includes assessments of the eight Eriksonian psychosocial constructs at multiple time points across early, middle, and later adulthood.

    “The RALS is perhaps the only longitudinal study currently available that includes assessments of the eight Eriksonian psychosocial constructs at multiple time points across early, middle, and later adulthood.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The IPD intimacy subscale had Cronbach's alpha values ranging from .66 to .76.

    “Alpha was .64 for identity, and ranged from .66–.76 for intimacy, .36–.61 for generativity, and .69-.78 for integrity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    A stable, coherent identity formed in adolescence is theorized to lay the groundwork for healthy psychosocial functioning and growth across the lifespan.

    “In theory, a stable, coherent identity formed in adolescence is seen as laying the groundwork for healthy psychosocial functioning and growth across the lifespan (Erikson, 1950; 1968; Vaillant & Milofsky, 1980; McLean & Syed, 2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1950; 1968; Vaillant & Milofsky, 1980; McLean & Syed, 2015

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Test-retest reliability for the IPD subscales ranged from r = .24 to r = .81, with stronger correlations among measurements closer in time.

    “Test-retest reliability for the IPD subscales ranged from r = .24 to r = .81, with stronger correlations among measurements that occurred closer in time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    To the authors' knowledge, no studies have examined the relationship between identity and subsequent development of ego integrity.

    “To our knowledge, no studies have examined the relationship between identity and subsequent development of ego integrity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Beyers and Seiffge-Krenke (2010) found that age 15 identity predicted age 25 intimacy, but not vice versa.

    “Beyers and Seiffge-Krenke (2010) found that age 15 identity predicted age 25 intimacy, but not vice-versa.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Beyers and Seiffge-Krenke (2010)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisereasoning

    Individuals who struggle to form an integrated, stable, positive sense of self by early adulthood are expected to have difficulty progressing through later developmental tasks of adulthood.

    “Individuals who struggle to form an integrated, stable, positive sense of self by early adulthood are expected to have trouble progressing forward through the subsequent developmental tasks of adulthood.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The ICC for each outcome within each cohort at each wave was generally very close to zero, suggesting little within-cohort homogeneity on intimacy, generativity, and integrity.

    “We checked the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for each outcome within each cohort, at each wave. The ICC was generally very close to zero for these comparisons, suggesting little within-cohort homogeneity on the outcomes of intimacy, generativity, and integrity; thus we combined all four cohorts to increase sample size and power.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The study had preregistered hypotheses before conducting additional exploratory analyses.

    “In addition to testing our preregistered hypotheses, we conducted additional exploratory analyses to further probe our findings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Given low internal consistency for generativity, sensitivity analyses were run using a version of the subscale that removed two weakly correlated items.

    “Given the low internal consistency estimates for generativity, we ran sensitivity analyses using a version of this subscale that removed two items that were weakly correlated with the rest of the items (detailed in the Analysis Plan and Results sections).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Prior research with the RALS estimated that integrity decreased from the twenties through the forties and then increased.

    “Integrity decreased from the twenties through the forties, then increased from there on.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Whitbourne et al., 2009 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Erikson noted that developing a clear, coherent identity is necessary for forming close intimate relationships without losing one's sense of self.

    “For example, Erikson noted that developing a clear, coherent identity is necessary for forming close intimate relationships with others, without losing one’s sense of self in the relationship.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1968

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Erikson's model places identity versus role confusion as a central developmental task for adolescents and as setting the stage for healthy maturation across adulthood.

    “Erikson’s (1950; 1968) model situates the identity vs. role confusion crisis as a central developmental task for adolescents, and one that sets the stage for healthy maturation across adulthood.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1950; 1968

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Settling on one's values early in adulthood makes it more likely that one will live an adult life according to those values and avoid major regrets.

    “Settling on one’s values early in adulthood makes it more likely that one will live an adult life according to those values, and avoid major regrets.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Generativity is conventionally associated with midlife and reflects efforts to nurture future generations and make lasting positive contributions.

    “The next stage, generativity, is conventionally associated with midlife, and reflects an individual’s efforts to nurture future generations and make contributions that will leave a lasting, positive influence on the world (Erikson, 1950).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1950

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    de Haan and MacDermid (1994) found that global identity development was unrelated to global generativity among midlife women, though domain-specific identity development was associated with generativity in the corresponding domain.

    “In contrast, de Haan and MacDermid (1994) found that global identity development was unrelated to global generativity among midlife women, though they did find evidence that domain-specific identity development was associated with generativity in the corresponding domain (e.g., political identity achievement was related to civic generativity).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites de Haan & MacDermid (1994)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The IPD identity subscale had a Cronbach's alpha of .64.

    “Alpha was .64 for identity, and ranged from .66–.76 for intimacy, .36–.61 for generativity, and .69-.78 for integrity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Conventional interpretations of Erikson's model hold that each of the eight stages builds sequentially on the last and that successful resolution of the current stage is beneficial or necessary for moving to later stages.

    “Conventional interpretations of Erikson’s model suggest that each of the eight stages builds sequentially on the last, and that successful resolution of the developmental task associated with the current life stage is beneficial or even necessary for moving on to later stages.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1950

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Prior research with the RALS estimated that generativity is characterized by a slowly increasing linear trajectory.

    “Generativity was characterized by a slowly increasing linear trajectory.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Whitbourne et al., 2009 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Completion status in 2012-2014 was not significantly associated with emerging adulthood identity resolution or with intimacy, generativity, or integrity.

    “However, analyses comparing participants who remained in the sample to those who dropped out revealed no significant association between completion status in 2012–2014 and the main predictor of interest, i.e. emerging adulthood identity resolution (r = .02, p > .05), nor for the focal outcomes of intimacy (rs range from −.04 to .08 across waves, all ps > .05), generativity (rs range from −.08 to .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Whitbourne et al., 2009 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Because prior studies did not assess changes in generativity over multiple measurements, the relationship between early-life identity and trajectories of generativity across the lifespan remains unclear.

    “Furthermore, because these studies did not assess changes in generativity over multiple measurements, the relationship between early-life identity and trajectories of generativity across the lifespan remains unclear.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Fear of making oneself open and vulnerable in a close intimate relationship leads to a sense of isolation and distance.

    “Fear of making oneself open and vulnerable in a close, intimate relationship with another leads to a sense of isolation and distance.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Erikson's psychosocial stage model comprises eight developmental tasks that unfold over the lifespan.

    “Erikson’s (1950; 1968) classic psychosocial stage model of human development lays out a set of eight developmental tasks that unfold over the lifespan: trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and self-doubt, initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs. role confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, and integrity vs. despair.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1950; 1968

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Most evidence for connections between identity and subsequent intimacy is cross-sectional and shows positive correlations between identity and intimacy.

    “Perhaps the most evidence exists for connections between identity and the subsequent stage, intimacy. Most of this work has been cross-sectional, and demonstrates positive correlations between identity and intimacy (Orlofsky, Marcia, & Lesser, 1973; Rotenberg, Schaut, & O’Connor, 1993; Montgomery, 2005; Whitbourne & Tesch, 1985).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Orlofsky, Marcia, & Lesser, 1973; Rotenberg, Schaut, & O’Connor, 1993; Montgomery, 2005; Whitbourne & Tesch, 1985

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Erikson's psychosocial stage model proposes that identity development in adolescence and emerging adulthood shapes progression through later developmental tasks across the lifespan.

    “Erikson’s classic psychosocial stage model suggests that identity development in adolescence and emerging adulthood shapes an individual’s progression through later developmental tasks across the lifespan (Erikson, 1950; 1968; Vaillant & Milofsky, 1980).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1950

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Erikson, 1968

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Vaillant & Milofsky, 1980

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Individuals who do not form a coherent identity on time in emerging adulthood are not destined to fail at later developmental tasks; they may just take longer to reach them.

    “These findings provide some reassurance that individuals who do not manage to form a coherent identity “on time” in emerging adulthood are not destined to fail at the key developmental tasks later across the lifespan – they may just take longer to arrive there.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Identity formation is often viewed as a key developmental task for adolescence and emerging adulthood and as a prerequisite for healthy adult functioning.

    “Identity formation is often viewed as a key developmental task for adolescence and emerging adulthood, and a prerequisite for healthy adult functioning (Arnett, 2000; Erikson, 1968; 1950; Marcia, 1966; Meeus, 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Arnett, 2000 source
    • cites Erikson, 1968

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Marcia, 1966 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Prior research with the RALS suggested that life experiences such as entering a committed relationship or becoming a parent can contribute to catching up on psychosocial growth for individuals who exhibited lower levels of intimacy and generativity early in adulthood.

    “Prior research with the RALS has also suggested that life experiences such as entering a committed relationship or becoming a parent can contribute to “catching up” on psychosocial growth for individuals who exhibited lower levels of intimacy and generativity early in adulthood (Whitbourne et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Whitbourne et al., 2009 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Eriksonian theory posits that healthy psychosocial development is dynamic, with each psychosocial construct becoming especially salient at a different point in the adult lifespan.

    “Eriksonian theory posits that healthy psychosocial development is dynamic, with each psychosocial construct becoming especially salient at a different point in the adult lifespan (Erikson, 1950; 1968; see also Zucker, Ostrove, & Stewart, 2002; McAdams & de St. Aubin, 1992).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Erikson, 1950

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Erikson, 1968

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Zucker, Ostrove, & Stewart, 2002 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    RALS participants were recruited from students at a private university and generally scored as relatively well-adjusted on most Eriksonian psychosocial dimensions.

    “The RALS participants were recruited from among students at a private university, and their scores on the IPD indicate that they are in general relatively well-adjusted on most of Erikson’s psychosocial dimensions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    A negative variance estimate for Wave 5 integrity was constrained to zero, and this constraint did not substantially affect model fit.

    “The model produced a negative variance estimate for Wave 5 integrity, so we constrained this variance to zero; this constraint did not substantially affect model fit.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Prior research has demonstrated differences by gender and birth cohort in Eriksonian psychosocial development.

    “Prior research has demonstrated differences by gender and birth cohort in Eriksonian psychosocial development (e.g., Fadjukoff et al., 2010; Whitbourne et al., 2009; Vandewater & Stewart, 2006), and the present study sheds additional light on how these demographic factors may influence psychosocial growth over time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Fadjukoff et al., 2010

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Whitbourne et al., 2009 source
    • cites Vandewater & Stewart, 2006

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Evidence suggests that emerging adults who do not attend college tend to become parents earlier than college students and have different patterns of employment and financial dependence across their early twenties.

    “Evidence suggests, for example, that emerging adults who do not attend college tend to become parents earlier than college students, and have substantially different patterns of employment and financial dependence across their early twenties – all factors that may affect opportunities for identity development at this time of life (Mitchell & Syed, 2015).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Mitchell & Syed, 2015 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Research on ego identity development among youth from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds and youth who do not attend college has been sparse, and the need for more work with diverse groups is a longstanding gap.

    “In general, research on ego identity development among youth from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds and youth who do not attend college has been sparse, and the need for more work with diverse groups is a longstanding gap within the ego identity development literature (Syed & Mitchell, 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Syed & Mitchell, 2013

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

59 of 59

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Missing data in the RALS are missing at random, as required for full information maximum likelihood estimation.

    “We use Full Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) estimation to account for missingness in all longitudinal analyses.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The association between emerging adulthood identity resolution and later psychosocial trajectories is not due to unmeasured confounding.

    “In keeping with this prior research, we included gender and birth cohort as covariates in all analyses, to investigate the potential role of these demographic factors and sociohistorical influences in shaping psychosocial development.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The racial and ethnic homogeneity of the RALS sample does not limit or alter the associations studied.

    “Given the racial/ethnic homogeneity of the sample, this demographic factor is not considered in the following analyses.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The observed associations between identity resolution and later psychosocial outcomes are not due to unmeasured confounding.

    “The present findings point to identity development as one potential mechanism contributing to psychosocial maturity in emerging adulthood.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The mediation analyses assume no unmeasured confounding of the mediator-outcome relationships.

    “We used path analysis models to test whether the relationships between T1 identity and T3 generativity, as well as between T1 identity and T3 integrity, were mediated by the intervening psychosocial stages.”
5 of 5

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Authors
Mitchell, L. L., Lodi-Smith, J., Baranski, E. N., & Whitbourne, S. K.
ORCID
Venue
Psychology and Aging
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2021-08
Volume
36
Issue
5
Pages
545-556
ISSN
  • 0882-7974 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1498
DOI
10.1037/pag0000537
PMC
PMC8455066
OpenAlex
W3176403906
Cited by
44
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3
FWCI
7.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychology and Aging (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
US Department of Veterans Affairs (TPH 67-000)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Ego Development and Educational Practices
Keywords
identity resolution, emerging adulthood, intimacy, generativity, integrity, developmental trajectories, psychosocial development, identity construction
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aging, Female, Humans, Individuality, Longevity, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Self Concept, Sexual Partners, Virtues, Young Adult

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