Time perspective and identity formation: Short-term longitudinal dynamics in college students

Planning for the future and developing a personalized identity are conceived of as important developmental tasks that adolescents and emerging adults are confronted with on the pathway to adulthood. The present study set out to examine whether both tasks develop in tandem by using a short-term longi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of behavioral development 2010-05, Vol.34 (3), p.238-247
Main Authors: Luyckx, Koen, Lens, Willy, Smits, Ilse, Goossens, Luc
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Belgium
Biological and medical sciences
Cognitive Processes
College Students
Correlation
Developmental Stages
Developmental Tasks
Foreign Countries
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Future
Futures (of Society)
Identity
Identity formation
Individual Development
Longitudinal Studies
Measures (Individuals)
Personality. Affectivity
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Self Concept
Self representation
Short term
Structural Equation Models
Time Perspective
Time perspectives
Undergraduate students
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Planning for the future and developing a personalized identity are conceived of as important developmental tasks that adolescents and emerging adults are confronted with on the pathway to adulthood. The present study set out to examine whether both tasks develop in tandem by using a short-term longitudinal dataset consisting of 371 college students assessed at two time-points, four months apart. Identity formation was assessed using identity commitment and three identity processing styles; time perspective was assessed using the present-hedonistic, present-fatalistic, and future-oriented perspectives. Using cross-lagged structural equation modeling, three competing models were tested: a time perspective main-effects model; an identity main-effects model; and a reciprocal model. In accordance with expectations, evidence was found for the reciprocal model with identity formation and time perspective mutually reinforcing one another across time. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
ISSN:0165-0254
1464-0651
DOI:10.1177/0165025409350957