Down the Rabbit Hole: Identity Across Life Events and Transitions

Abstract

Identity refers to the fundamental question of “Who am I”, but also “What do I find important?” and “Who am I in different roles in my life?”. During adolescence, these questions gain in importance and forming a first version of one’s identity is considered the key task to complete during this life phase. The development of identity is a continuous process, with adolescents’ identity ever changing as they have new experiences and integrate these experiences in their sense of self. It is suggested, however, that identity development may receive a boost from the experience of major life events or transitions, which force adolescents to reconsider who they are in a new or vastly changed context. The impact of such experiences on identity may depend on adolescents’ personality and their social context. Findings from this dissertation suggest that life events and transitions are indeed important, but that their impact is not set in stone. Rather, their impact depends on how adolescents interpret these experiences. If and how adolescents integrate such experiences in their identity is linked to their broader functioning. In general, being able to integrate and make meaning out of experiences is linked to better functioning, but this is not true for all adolescents and all types of experiences. Individual differences in the personalities and social contexts of adolescents predict differences in identity and functioning. However, these factors do not seem to play a role in the impact of life events and transitions on identity.