| Abstract [eng] |
Emerging adulthood is characterised by crucial life changes followed by instability (Arnett et al., 2014). It is also the time, when the risk of mental disorders (Auerbach et al., 2018) and exposure to traumatic events (Shalka, 2019) increases. Emerging adulthood is also seen as a time of identity formation (Arnett et al., 2014). The links between identity and mental health outcomes have been observed in previous studies (Kroger et al., 2010; Luyckx et al., 2008; Rose & Bond, 2008; Samuolis et al., 2015) however little research has addressed how identity status is interlinked with trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress reactions. The aim of this study is to explore the links between traumatic experiences, identity and post-traumatic stress reactions in emerging adulthood. The study involved 137 second-year students from a single university (M = 20.31; SD = 1.36; 88.3 % female). Identity processes were assessed using a shortened version of The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS; Luyckx et al., 2008), The Life Events Checklist (LEC; Weathers et al., 2013) was used to assess traumatic experiences and The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ; Cloitre et al., 2018) was used to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Identity statuses were revealed by using k-means cluster analysis approach. Based on the results of the cluster analysis, three identity statuses were identified: achieved (35 %), searching (50 %) and diffused (15 %). The findings of this study suggest that diffused and searching identity statuses were found to be more prevalent among trauma-exposed youth, than non-exposed youth. Young adults with different identity statuses differed in the severity of symptoms of disturbances in self-organization (DSO), not in the post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms: young adults with the achieved identity status experienced fewer symptoms of AOS than those with diffused and searching identity statuses. Thus, young adults with traumatic experiences are at higher risk of identity formation difficulties; achieved identity status is associated with lower symptoms of AOS. |
