Measuring Identity From an Eriksonian Perspective: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Abstract

In this article, we report the results of 3 studies evaluating the psychometric properties of scores generated using the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory (EPSI; Rosenthal, Gurney, & Moore, 1981) with emerging adults. In Study 1, a hybrid bifactor solution, consisting of an overall identity factor as well as of “method effects” factors for identity synthesis and identity confusion, provided a better fit to the data than did either one or two-factor solutions. This bifactor solution was largely invariant across gender and across Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics. In Study 2, the overall identity, identity synthesis, and identity confusion scores were shown to possess convergent validity with another Eriksonian measure and with measures of identity status. In Study 3, the EPSI subscale scores were shown to possess construct validity vis-à-vis self-esteem, purpose in life, internal locus of control, ego strength, anxiety, and depression. We discuss implications for the measurement of identity.

Acknowledgments

Preparation of this article was supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse grants 19409 (S. Schwartz, Principal Investigator [PI]) and 17262 (H. Pantin, PI), and by National Institute on Mental Health grant 40859 (C. H. Brown, PI).

Notes

¹ Although multiple dimensions of identity have been discussed, for purposes of clarity and brevity, the term identity is used here to refer to personal identity.

² We were not able to evaluate invariance of the bifactor solution across gender or ethnicity because the ratio of participants to parameters estimated would have been only slightly greater than 1.

^a Latent variable attached to all of the EPSI items

^b Latent variable attached only to the corresponding EPSI items.

*p < .05

**p < .01

***p < .001.

^a Latent variable attached to all of the EPSI items

^b Latent variable attached only to the corresponding EPSI items.

*p < .05

**p < .01

***p < .001.

^a Latent variable attached to all of the EPSI items

^b Latent variable attached only to the corresponding EPSI items.

*p < .05

**p < .01

***p < .001.