Aleksandra Pilarska

Self-Construal as a Mediator Between Identity Structure and Subjective Well-Being

An examination of the assumptions underlying identity conceptualizations in psychology of self indicates the assumptions are based on an independent, individualistic view of self. If self is constructed as interdependent with others, such identity characteristic as a sense of uniqueness, separateness, and continuity may be less important in promoting well-being. The results of the conducted study (N = 226) indicated that there were weaker relations between various features of identity structure and subjective well-being for individuals with a highly interdependent self-construal than for those with a highly independent self-construal. The results also showed that specificity, separateness, and stability of identity content influenced positive and negative affect through the mediating agency of independent and interdependent self-construals. These findings emphasize the importance of applying a self-construal perspective in considering adaptive functions of identity.

Self-Complexity and Self-Concept Differentiation – What Have We Been Measuring for the Past 30 Years?

Research on the relation between the structure of the self-concept and psychological well-being has yielded seemingly inconsistent and even conflicting results. This article presents studies that examined the validity of often-used measures of self-complexity and self-concept differentiation and tested their ability to predict personal identity and active cognitive processing. The findings revealed several conceptual and methodological problems that continue to plague self-structure research, including the conflating of self-concept content and self-concept structure. In short, our data indicated that the commonly used indices of self-complexity and self-concept differentiation cannot be considered pure measures of the underlying dimensions of self-structure. In addition, only weak correlations of the self-structure variables with measures of personal identity and thinking dispositions have been found. Moreover, once the theoretically irrelevant sources of variance were controlled, the effects of the included structural features of the self-concept on the outcomes of interest either did not occur or were less pronounced. Given the above, it seems reasonable to suggest that at least some of the conclusions regarding the adaptive value of self-structural variables drawn from previous research in this field need revision.

Contributions of Cognitive-Motivational Factors to the Sense of Identity

This study addressed the relationship between sense of personal identity and thinking dispositions such as need for cognition, reflection, and integrative self-knowledge as well as modes of coping with self-related discrepancies through either excessive assimilation or accommodation. Participants were 544 young adults. The correlation and path analyses revealed, as expected, that need for cognition and integrative self-knowledge positively influenced one’s sense of identity, while over-responsiveness to discrepant information about the self influenced it negatively. The effects of reflection and imperviousness to discrepancies appeared more complicated and varied. Together, the findings confirm the importance of cognitive-motivational variables in the development and maintenance of a sense of identity, and suggest that gender differences in their relative significance may deserve additional research attention.

The identity processes and the sense of identity: interrelations and significance to the capacity for closeness

One of the most often used models in research on identity is Berzonsky’s (1989b, 2011) model of identity processing styles, in which three styles are distinguished as different ways of building personal identity: informational, normative, and diffuse-avoidant. For measuring these styles, Berzonsky proposed the Identity Style Inventory (ISI; Berzonsky et al., 2013). There have been suggestions in the literature (Cieciuch, 2010; Topolewska, & Cieciuch, 2012) that it is possible to distinguish two factors within the diffuse-avoidant style scale: diffuse-carefree and avoidant. The aim of the article is to check the legitimacy of distinguishing these two subscales. Research was conducted on a sample of young adults (N = 603, age: 19–25, M = 21.24, SD = 1.68, 65% women) using the Polish version of Identity Style Inventory (ISI-4; Senejko, 2010). Analyses performed in accordance with two approaches (variable-centered and person-centered) led to similar conclusions. The analyses following the variable-centered approach revealed different associations between the two diffuse-avoidant subscales and eudaimonic well-being. Following the person-centered appro¬ach, it was shown that both subscales are the basis for distinguishing separate groups of people, which also differ in terms of well-being. The obtained results support the thesis about the heterogeneous nature of the diffuse-avoidant style and about the different functioning of people who differ in their scores on the two subscales. This means that taking both the avoidant style scale and the diffuse-carefree style scale into account in empirical studies may yield more precise results.The article deals with the relations between the dimensions of identity postulated in the dual-cycle model of identity formation by Luyckx and colleagues (2008) and the basic categories of the sense of identity that – according to our own approach – determines the dominant ways of experiencing and understanding oneself (Pilarska, 2014; Pilarska & Sucha ska, 2013). In both of these theoretical proposals identity is viewed from a somewhat different perspective, although both are within the scope of so-called Eriksonian influences. In the article, we present theoretical premises and empirical data concerning the relations between the two approaches to identity, and thereby we answer the question of what kind of experience of the self accompanies the intensification of exploration and commitment processes. Following up the thesis, commonly advanced in the literature, that identity is a precondition of the capacity for close relationships, we also address the possibility of explaining this capacity in the light of the two considered approaches to identity.The article deals with the relations between the dimensions of identity postulated in the dual-cycle model of identity formation by Luyckx and colleagues (2008) and the basic categories of the sense of identity that – according to our own approach – determines the dominant ways of experiencing and understanding oneself (Pilarska, 2014; Pilarska & Suchańska, 2013). In each of these theoretical proposals identity is viewed from a somewhat different perspective, although both are within the scope of so-called Eriksonian influences. In the article, we present theoretical premises and empiri cal data concerning the relations between the two approaches to identity, and thereby we answer the question of what kind of experience of the self accompanies the intensification of exploration and commitment processes. Following up the thesis, commonly advanced in the literature, that identity is a precondition of the capacity for close relationships, we also address the possibility of explaining this capacity in the light of the two considered approaches to identity.

Procesy tożsamości i poczucie tożsamości: wzajemne powiązania oraz znaczenie dla zdolności do bliskości

One of the most often used models in research on identity is Berzonsky’s (1989b, 2011) model of identity processing styles, in which three styles are distinguished as different ways of building personal identity: informational, normative, and diffuse-avoidant. For measuring these styles, Berzonsky proposed the Identity Style Inventory (ISI; Berzonsky et al., 2013). There have been suggestions in the literature (Cieciuch, 2010; Topolewska, & Cieciuch, 2012) that it is possible to distinguish two factors within the diffuse-avoidant style scale: diffuse-carefree and avoidant. The aim of the article is to check the legitimacy of distinguishing these two subscales. Research was conducted on a sample of young adults (N = 603, age: 19–25, M = 21.24, SD = 1.68, 65% women) using the Polish version of Identity Style Inventory (ISI-4; Senejko, 2010). Analyses performed in accordance with two approaches (variable-centered and person-centered) led to similar conclusions. The analyses following the variable-centered approach revealed different associations between the two diffuse-avoidant subscales and eudaimonic well-being. Following the person-centered appro¬ach, it was shown that both subscales are the basis for distinguishing separate groups of people, which also differ in terms of well-being. The obtained results support the thesis about the heterogeneous nature of the diffuse-avoidant style and about the different functioning of people who differ in their scores on the two subscales. This means that taking both the avoidant style scale and the diffuse-carefree style scale into account in empirical studies may yield more precise results.The article deals with the relations between the dimensions of identity postulated in the dual-cycle model of identity formation by Luyckx and colleagues (2008) and the basic categories of the sense of identity that – according to our own approach – determines the dominant ways of experiencing and understanding oneself (Pilarska, 2014; Pilarska & Sucha ska, 2013). In both of these theoretical proposals identity is viewed from a somewhat different perspective, although both are within the scope of so-called Eriksonian influences. In the article, we present theoretical premises and empirical data concerning the relations between the two approaches to identity, and thereby we answer the question of what kind of experience of the self accompanies the intensification of exploration and commitment processes. Following up the thesis, commonly advanced in the literature, that identity is a precondition of the capacity for close relationships, we also address the possibility of explaining this capacity in the light of the two considered approaches to identity.The article deals with the relations between the dimensions of identity postulated in the dual-cycle model of identity formation by Luyckx and colleagues (2008) and the basic categories of the sense of identity that – according to our own approach – determines the dominant ways of experiencing and understanding oneself (Pilarska, 2014; Pilarska & Suchańska, 2013). In each of these theoretical proposals identity is viewed from a somewhat different perspective, although both are within the scope of so-called Eriksonian influences. In the article, we present theoretical premises and empiri cal data concerning the relations between the two approaches to identity, and thereby we answer the question of what kind of experience of the self accompanies the intensification of exploration and commitment processes. Following up the thesis, commonly advanced in the literature, that identity is a precondition of the capacity for close relationships, we also address the possibility of explaining this capacity in the light of the two considered approaches to identity.

The sense of identity and symptoms of personality disorders - The results of a non-clinical population study.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the presented studies was to empirically analyze the relation between the symptoms of personality disorders and the structure of identity-related senses. The analyses were conducted within two models - based on Millons theory of personality and DSM-IV personality disorder classification system. METHODS In the studies, a total of 197 university students of various majors were included. The authors used Polish version of the Millon Index of Personality Styles that assess personality styles and offers a Clinical Index to evaluate psychological adjustment, and Personality Disorder Types Questionnaire to obtain DSM-IV diagnoses. The intensity of the identity-related senses was measured using the Multidimensional Identity Inventory. Data were tested for normality, and then Students t-tests and ANOVA tests were used to compare the structure of identity-related senses in individuals with a healthy personality and disordered personality. RESULTS Within Millons model, three different patterns of disordered personality were found, and they all manifested some identity deficits. Most of the personality disorders covered by DSM-IV also significantly differed on the identity dimensions from healthy personality. CONCLUSIONS The results show that identity deficits should be considered as an important symptom of personality disorders, regardless of the adopted model of personality. The most disordered identity is observed in individuals falling into the group with odd or eccentric disorders and into the anxious or fearful cluster. The group with dramatic, emotional or erratic disorders is the most heterogeneous in terms of the level of identity disorganization.

Specyfika funkcjonowania rodziny w percepcji adolescentów i młodych dorosłych a formowanie się ich tożsamości

Previous studies on the impact of family factors on the identity formation process have focused on various aspects of family environment such as parental behavior (Romano, 2004), parental control (Luyckx et al., 2007), parental support and the quality of relationships between adolescents and their parents (Liberska, 2004), and the level of development of parents’ identity (Syed, Seiffge-Krenke, 2012). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between identity processes and dimensions of family functioning (i.e. cohesion, flexibility, and communication) in the perception of adolescents and young adults. The sample consisted of 119 high school and university students (72 women and 47 men) who completed the Polish versions of Flexibility and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES IV; Olson, 2011), and Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS; Luyckx et al., 2008). The correlation analysis and ANOVA test showed that different levels and different configurations of family environment characteristics are associated with identity formation processes in young people. The results also suggest that the observed relationship between different aspects of family functioning and identity dimensions changes with sex. At the same time, the obtained pattern of correlations in the current study was less systematic than it was expected on the basis of literature, and the directions of these correlations were not always congruent with predictions.