Identity Status and Authoritarianism: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This investigation was undertaken to examine the relationship between identity status and authoritarianism through techniques of meta-analysis. Identity theory and earlier research have suggested associations between these constructs, but they have not previously been submitted to meta-analysis procedures. This analysis examined the hypothesis that foreclosures would score significantly higher on measures of authoritarianism than achievement, moratorium, or diffusion statuses. An initial database of 565 empirical studies of Marcia's identity statuses, conducted between 1966–2005, was identified from the PsycINFO, ERIC, Sociological Abstracts, and Dissertation Abstracts International databases using the following search terms: “identity status,” “identity and Marcia,” “identity and Marcia's,” and “ego identity.” Thirteen of these studies examined the relationship between identity status and authoritarianism, and nine (N = 861) provided sufficient data for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Hedges's g was the effect size measure used in analyses, and results showed the mean Hedges's g for the foreclosure status to be significantly higher than for all other identity statuses. Furthermore, these effect sizes were all large in terms of Cohen's criteria and were significant. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future research.

Notes

Note. Identity measure: 1 = Identity Status Interview; 2 = Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (EOM-EIS); 3 = Ego Identity Questionnaire (EIQ); 4 = Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (EIPQ). Authoritarianism measure: 1 = California F-scale; 2 = Altemeyer F-scale. Study type: 1 = published article, 2 = doctoral dissertation. Effect size: g =Hedges's g = (M ₁ − M ₂ )/SD _pooled..

Note. N = number of participants in status; K = number of studies; Hedges's g = (M ₁ − M ₂)/SD _pooled. A positive value indicates the first identity status is higher than the second; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval; Q = significance test of variation between studies.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marianne S. Ryeng

Marianne S. Ryeng is now at the Regional Resource Center for Violence, Traumatic Stress, and Suicide Prevention, Tromsø, Norway.