(PS8-D92) Inhabiting the Body: Exploring the Link Between Embodiment and Identity in Community Adolescents

Erikson (1968) noted that feeling at home in one's body is crucial to achieving a strong sense of self. Indeed, the intricate connection between one's body and identity has been highlighted in previous studies (Kling et al., 2018). Especially youth may adopt their body as a main identity project, given that identity formation and body image both come to the fore during adolescence and that pubertal changes may result in a heightened consciousness of the body and appearance during this developmental stage. Previous research efforts have mainly focused on negative body in examining the identity-body interplay, and, as a result, theorists call for the adoption of a broader view on embodiment (Piran, 2017; Tylka, 2018). To broaden our understanding of the link between identity and one’s body in adolescents, the current study: (1) examined the factor structure, reliability, and measurement invariance across gender of the Dutch version of the Youth Experience of Embodiment Scale (Youth EES), and examined associations with age, adjusted BMI, and other body-related questionnaires; and (2) explored the link between Experience of Embodiment and its different domains and identity functioning (identity synthesis and confusion; identity dimensions; and identity statuses). A total of 917 students (58% female; M_age = 16.17, SD = 1.28, range = 14-19 years) completed self-report questionnaires on embodiment, identity functioning, and body dissatisfaction. With regard to the first objective, confirmatory factor analysis revealed a second-order factor structure with one higher-order factor and five first-order factors for the Youth EES and adequate reliability coefficients were obtained. Metric invariance across gender was demonstrated for both the first- and second-order factors. The subscale ‘Agency and Functionality’ of the Youth EES showed positive correlations with age. Subscales ‘Positive Body Connection and Comfort’, ‘Body Un-encumbered Adjustment’, and ‘Attuned Self-Care’, and general Experience of Embodiment were positively related to adjusted BMI. Furthermore, negative correlations were found between the Youth EES and body dissatisfaction scales. In sum, the present study supports the reliability and validity of the Youth EES to measure experiences related to inhabiting the body in adolescent girls and boys. With regard to the second objective, different direct paths were found from Experience of Embodiment and its domain to identity synthesis and confusion, and the identity dimensions using path analysis. Further, five identity statuses emerged using cluster analysis. Subsequently, using univariate and multivariate analysis of variance, adolescents in statuses reflecting less adaptive identity functioning displayed lower levels of Experience of Embodiment and the specific domains. The present study suggests that identity formation may be associated with embodiment and supports the call for the adoption of a positive psychology framework within this research field, whereby attention is given to more broadly defined body-related concepts such as embodiment.