Transdiagnostic
Identity formation and psychopathological symptoms in adolescence: Examining developmental trajectories and co-development
Leni Raemen, M.S., None
PhD-student
KU Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium
Laurence Claes, Ph.D.
Professor
KU Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium
Nina Palmeroni, Ph.D.
PhD
KU Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium
Tinne Buelens, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Lore Vankerckhoven, M.S.
PhD-student
KU Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium
Koen Luyckx, Ph.D.
Professor
KU Leuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium
Developing a personal identity is a prominent task during adolescence and the way adolescents develop their identity has been forwarded as an important factor towards psychopathology. In an attempt to extend the understanding of how identity co-develops with psychopathology during adolescence, the present study investigated developmental changes in both personal identity and psychopathology over a period of two years using a three-wave longitudinal study. More specifically, the present study aimed to 1) identify different identity trajectory classes among adolescents and 2) investigate how these identity trajectory classes are related to the occurrence of several psychopathological symptoms (i.e., depressive symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, somatic symptoms and related thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and substance use).
A total of 599 students (Time 1: 41.3% female; Mage=14.93, SD=1.77, range=12-18 years) participated at three annual measurement points and completed self-report questionnaires on identity processes, depressive symptoms, eating disorder symptoms, somatic symptoms and related thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and substance use.
Five identity trajectory classes emerged using latent class growth analysis (achievement, foreclosure, moratorium, carefree diffusion, troubled diffusion). Some gender and age differences among these trajectory classes were found. In addition, multigroup latent growth curve modeling demonstrated that individuals in different identity trajectory classes reported different levels of psychopathological symptoms and behaviors. Individuals in trajectory classes reflecting less adaptive identity functioning, such as moratorium and troubled diffusion, displayed higher levels of psychopathological symptoms.
The present study underscores that less adaptive identity functioning can indeed be related to adolescents’ psychological and somatic symptoms.
