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Identity, Stress, and Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Undergraduates: Evidence for Interaction Effects
- Journal of College Student Development
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Volume 55, Number 4, May 2014
- pp. 368-384
- 10.1353/csd.2014.0036
- Article
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The present study examined sense of identity (assessed using the Identity subscale of the Psychosocial Maturity Inventory) as a moderator of associations between stressful life events, behavioral/emotional problems, and substance abuse in a sample of 187 college undergraduates (67% female). Correlations showed evidence for positive associations between life stress and behavioral and emotional problems, negative associations between identity and life stress/behavioral and emotional problems, and a positive association between identity and GPA. For three outcomes—anxious/depressed problems, thought problems, and aggressive behavior—identity moderated the association, such that individuals with a stronger sense of identity reported fewer problems even when experiencing high levels of life stress. Primary results remained significant when controlling for age, global self-worth, and broad personality variables, and did not differ by gender.