Globalization and Identity Development Among Emerging Adults From Ladakh

Objectives: Around the world, the transformative power of globalization has increased intercultural connectivity, initiated sociocultural change. and broadened the possibilities for diverse life trajectories. These developments have increased the number of individuals within non-Western contexts who experience emerging adulthood as a developmental life stage between adolescence and adulthood. Central to this life stage is identity development, which has become increasingly challenging during times of rapid sociocultural change. The present study investigated the interplay among cultural orientation, personal identity development, and psychological well-being during the processes of globalization-based acculturation in the North Indian Himalayan region of Ladakh. Method: A sample of 487 Ladakhi college students studying in Leh (72.9% female) and Delhi (48.0% female), ranging in age from 17 to 28 years, completed self-report questionnaires about cultural orientation, personal identity development, and psychological well-being. Results: Local Ladakhi cultural endorsement was not directly associated with psychological well-being. Furthermore, both personal identity exploration and commitment appeared to mediate the relationship between cultural endorsement and psychological well-being. Endorsement of traditional Ladakhi and Indian cultural streams was related to identity commitment and indirectly to psychological well-being. Endorsement of the global Western cultural stream was associated with identity exploration and indirectly with psychological well-being. Conclusion: Results illustrate the key role of personal identity among indigenous non-Western emerging adults exposed to cultural globalization.