Identity Development in Trinidad: Status Differences by Age, Adulthood Transitions, and Culture

ABSTRACT

Identity status differences by age, adulthood transitions (e.g., marriage), and values were examined in Trinidadians (N = 172) ranging from 11 to 84 years old using the Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale (U-MICS; Crocetti, Rubini, & Meeus, 2008). Cluster analysis revealed five identity statuses: moratorium, active moratorium, diffusion, evaluative moratorium, and achievement. As expected, identity achievement (i.e., commitment and exploration high, reconsideration low) was most common in midlife and among those who had made transitions to marriage and parenthood. Achievement was also associated with higher conservation values (i.e., valuing norm adherence), compared to active moratorium (i.e., commitment low, exploration and reconsideration high). The moratorium status (i.e., commitment and exploration low, reconsideration high) was associated with employment, though age moderated this effect (younger adults who were employed were less likely to be in moratorium). Findings are discussed considering chronological age, culturally meaningful markers of transitioning to adulthood, and the relations between values, well-being, and national levels of human development.

KEYWORDS:

• Adulthood transitions
• culture
• identity status
• lifespan
• Trinidad

Additional information

Funding

This research was fully supported by a Campus Research and Publication Fund Award from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, awarded to the first author (Grant CRP.5.NOV10.5).