Relationship Between the Big Five and Identity Coherence/Confusion
Research partners with Robert Dean
The feeling of having one fully-formed identity is suggested to positively correlate with a person’s adaptive psychosocial functioning, or their ability to perform daily tasks and maintain meaningful social relationships. Certain personality traits have also been found to significantly predict adaptive psychosocial functioning, however limited research has explored the integration of identity into the three-level personality model. This study addresses this by looking at associations between the Big Five personality traits and identity coherence and confusion. We hypothesized that identity coherence would positively correlate with Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and their respective aspects; will have a negative correlation with Neuroticism and its aspects and possibly Politeness; and will not significantly correlate with Openness/Intellect. The opposite findings are predicted for identity confusion. In a sample of 1257 participants, the Big Five Aspect Scales were used to measure Big Five domains and aspects, and the Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory identity scales were used to measure identity coherence and confusion. Relations between personality and identity variables were analyzed using zero-order and partial correlations. We found positive zero-order and partial correlations between identity coherence and all domains and aspects except Neuroticism and its aspects, with which there was a strong negative correlation. Identity confusion demonstrated opposite correlational findings. Results were primarily consistent with our hypotheses and support the integration of identity and personality literature.
