Title

The Prevalence and Incremental Validity of Identity Problem Symptoms in a High School Sample

Authors

Authors

S. L. Berman; C. F. Weems;V. F. Petkus

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Child Psychiat. Hum. Dev.

Keywords

Identity problem; Adolescence; Adjustment; EGO-IDENTITY; YOUTH; ADOLESCENTS; VALIDATION; DISORDERS; CHILDHOOD; Psychology, Developmental; Pediatrics; Psychiatry

Abstract

This paper examines the expression, prevalence, and incremental validity of identity problem symptoms in adolescence. A sample of high school students (N = 140) aged 15-18 completed measures of identity problem symptoms, identity status, and psychological symptom severity. Findings suggested that 14.3% would meet DSM IV criteria for identity problem. Identity problem symptoms predicted psychological symptom scores beyond identity status, and identity status accounted for substantially less variance in psychological symptom severity when controlling for identity problem symptoms. Additional research on the relationship between identity problems and psychological adjustment is needed and greater attention to the role of identity issues in clinical practice is warranted.

Journal Title

Child Psychiatry & Human Development

Volume

40

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-2009

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

183

Last Page

195

WOS Identifier

WOS:000263510900002

ISSN

0009-398X

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