All Identity Content Domains are Equal, but Some are More Equal Than Others: An Investigation of the Adaptiveness of Different Identity Content Domains

Identity development is an important task throughout adulthood and is linked to adjustment. Yet, past quantitative research has often focused on global processes, such as commitment and exploration, without taking identity domains into account. The present study captures characteristics of 21 identity content domains, building on past quantitative and qualitative research. In two samples of Dutch adults (N = 507, Mage = 48.37; N = 437, Mage = 20.02), we investigated the importance of different identity content domains, acceptance by society and by close others, and the investment therein. Furthermore, we linked these characteristics to global satisfaction with life, meaning in life, self-esteem and satisfaction with the underlying domains. Findings indicate that it may be more beneficial to identify with more domains (i.e. multi-facetedness). Moreover, the importance of domains related to social roles (e.g., family), positive personal characteristics (e.g., personality) and self-growth had the strongest positive effects. A greater acceptance of and investment in identity content domains was also linked to more adjustment overall and satisfaction in the corresponding domains. Overall, this study underlines a focus on identity content domains as a useful addition to the study of identity processes.