Subjective estimation of concealable and apparent identifications: Connection with psychological self-regulation and well-being

Hidden identification in the broad sense of the word means any characteristics that a person strives to hide, keep secret from others. It is mainly based on apprehension, expectation, ideas than on active interaction of a person with the environment and direct feedback. Empirical studies have shown that hidden identification can be found in 50% of the respondents and is linked to psychological ill-being, though the nature of the link and its dependence on explicit identifications are not clear. The objective of the study conducted was to discover the connection between hidden identifications, explicit identifications, subjective well-being and psychological self-regulation. It was expected that hidden identification would be linked to difficulties of psychological self-regulation which manifest themselves in a deficit of integration of contradictions and meaningfulness of objectives, but its link to self-regulation and well-being would not depend on the explicit identifications. The respondents were students of psychological faculties (n = 158) and adults aged 21-86 (n = 118). It was discovered that the link between hidden identification and ill-being cannot be explained by explicit identifications, which points to its specific function, often overlooked in studies of identity which focus on explicit identifications. Apparently, hidden identification is linked to difficulties of relating to large social groups (for instance, the nation) where direst feedback from other members of the community is not easily available. Hidden identification is linked to importance of social recognition of one's identity, estimation of the outside world as a menace and deficit of self-regulation (concentration and meaning). In the adult sample it turned out to be linked to difficulty of integrating contradictions. From the standpoint of psychology of corporeity one may suggest that in a conflict situation, especially with respect to social groups where feedback is not always possible (for instance, in stigmatized groups, large social groups), difficulties of integrating contradictions and concentration, deficit of meaningfulness lead to formation of an identity of the hidden type which in its turn consolidates the difficulties precluding active interaction with the environment that might help to overcome difficulties of identification.