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What, why, and how: The role of identity style, possible selves, age, stressful life events, and stage of change in women's identity development
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine those factors contributing to identity development in different groups of women. Two groups of women were included in the study: one with an average-age of 30 years (in 1999), and the second with an average-age of 55 years (in 1999). Data were collected over an interval of approximately four months. Variables assessed at both the beginning and the end of this time period included Identity Style, Possible Selves, Age, Stressful Life Events, and Stage of Change. Results of the study indicated that while the hypothesized relationships between Identity Style, Possible Selves, and Identity were confirmed, the role of Age, Stressful Life Events and Stage of Change in Identity produced mixed findings. Although Age and Stressful Life Events were not predictive of Identity, Stage of Change was a significant predictor of Identity scores at the second data collection period above and beyond what Identity scores at the initial data collection period were able to predict. Consequently, although some of the variables examined were not related to other variables as hypothesized, the overall model of what, why, and how changes occur in identity development received some support. Methodological suggestions for future research investigating the currently proposed model of identity development are provided, along with recommendations regarding characteristics of the samples to be studied.
Subject Area
Developmental psychology|Womens studies
Recommended Citation
Anthis, Kristine Siedis, "What, why, and how: The role of identity style, possible selves, age, stressful life events, and stage of change in women's identity development" (2000). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9991973.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9991973