Identity Processes and Identity Senses: Does Self-Complexity Matter?

Abstract

This chapter presents empirical analysis of the relationship between the self-concept complexity and the identity structure. The sample consisted of 118 emerging and young adults who completed Self-complexity Questionnaire, Multidimensional Identity Questionnaire, and Identity and Experience Scale. The cluster analysis showed four types of specific identity structures which differed significantly in identity processes. However, there were no significant differences between the obtained clusters concerning any of self-complexity measure used. In addition, identity processes received strong support as predictors of all structural characteristics of identity and weak support as a moderator of the self-complexity-identity structure relationship: with an average and high level of accommodation, the increase in self-complexity allowed for predicting a decrease in the sense of separateness, whereas with a low level of accommodation, the contrary effect was observed.