The Continued Assessment of Self-Continuity and Identity

Abstract

Studies have found that self-continuity is predictive of a substantial number of important outcome variables. However, a recent series of studies brings into question the traditional method of measuring self-continuity in favor of an alternative (B. M. Baird, K. Le, & R. E. Lucas, 2006). The present study represents a further comparison of measurement methods examining the outcome variables of identity, negative affect, and self-esteem while also exploring the possible moderating roles of culture and relational-interdependent self-construal. The results suggest that the methods yield distinctive results with the new method being associated with negative affect, but not with self-esteem or identity. This finding is especially important for the research in the area of identity because self-continuity is seen as being an essential element of identity and the results suggest that traditional identity concepts and measures are not inclusive of this vital component.

Resilience, Academic Self-Concept, and College Adjustment Among First-Year Students

“…This construct refers to a combination of individuals’ own cognitive and affective judgments about their academic abilities as well as their perceptions of how others view them (Bong & Skaalvik, 2003; DeFreitas & Rinn, 2013). Because academic self-concept is maintained to give stability to individuals’ sense of self (Bong & Skaalvik, 2003), it is not restricted to the present, but representative of one’s past and hopes for the future as well (Dunkel, Minor, & Babineau, 2010).…”

Cross-Situational Self-Consistency in Nine Cultures: The Importance of Separating Influences of Social Norms and Distinctive Dispositions

“…First, Suh (2002) found self-consistency predicted subjective well-being in both Korea and the United States, but the association was weaker in Korea. Second, Dunkel et al (2010) found that greater self-consistency predicted less negative affect in the United States and Singapore, with no significant cultural differences. Third, Church et al (2008) found self-consistency predicted adjustment in the United States, Australia, Mexico, Philippines, Malaysia, and Japan, but the association was weaker in Japan.…”

“…Unfortunately, the results of studies that compared self-consistency across countries do not paint a completely coherent picture. Three studies found more self-consistency in the United States than in an Asian country—namely, Korea (Suh, 2002), Singapore (Dunkel et al, 2010), or China (Boucher, 2011). Church et al (2012; Church et al, 2008) likewise found that self-consistency was lower in Japan than various other countries, but some of those other countries were in Asia, and self-consistency was not low in those other Asian countries.…”

“…In previous research, the degree to which an individual reports expressing the same traits in different contexts has been given various labels, including cross-role consistency (Boucher, 2011; Church et al, 2008), self-concept consistency (Church et al, 2012; Constantino, Wilson, Horowitz, & Pinel, 2006; Cross, Gore, & Morris, 2003; English & Chen, 2011; Katigbak et al, 2013; Kraus, Chen, & Keltner, 2011; Locke, 2006), identity consistency (Daukantaitė & Thompson, 2014; Hong & Woody, 2007; Suh, 2002), self-continuity (Dunkel, Minor, & Babineau, 2010) or, inversely, role variability (Block, 1961), cross-role variation (Sheldon, Ryan, Rawsthorne, & Ilardi, 1997), intraindividual personality variability (Baird, Le, & Lucas, 2006; Clifton & Kuper, 2011), and self-concept differentiation (Diehl & Hay, 2007; Donahue, Robins, Roberts, & John, 1993; Fukushima & Hosoe, 2011; Lutz & Ross, 2003). Following Gage, Coker, and Jobson (2015) and Locke and Christensen (2007), we will call this construct self-consistency .…”

Biological and Behavioral Mechanisms of Identity Pathology Development: An Integrative Review

“…Maintaining consistent behavior, attitudes, and values has been described as the “essence of identity” and is generally linked to psychological well-being (Campbell, Assanand, & Di Paula, 2003; Dunkel, Minor, & Babineau, 2010, p. 251; Erikson, 1968). Self-continuity plays an important role in organizing experience, predicting future events, and maintaining relationships (Epstein, 1973; Erikson, 1968; Mead, 1934).…”