Identity, vol.14, no.3, pp.230-239, 2014 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
The purpose of this study was to examine the role of gender and ego identity status (identity achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, and identity diffusion) in predicting psychological well-being among Turkish emerging adults. The study sample comprised 301 emerging adults aged 19-25 years (mean age: 22.03; SD = 1.46) who were attending a university. Self-reporting scales were used to assess ego identity status (Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status) and psychological well-being (Multi-Dimensional Psychological Well-Being Scale). Hierarchical regression analysis showed identity achievement to be a positive predictor of all psychological well-being dimensions whereas moratorium, foreclosure, and identity diffusion were found to be negative predictors of several well-being dimensions. These results suggest that identity commitment following exploration of possible alternatives is an important factor in the psychological well-being of emerging adults in a non-Western cultural context. © 2014 Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.