Identity Processes in Ladakhi Emerging Adults: Testing the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale in an Indigenous Himalayan Population

TY - JOUR

T1 - Identity Processes in Ladakhi Emerging Adults: Testing the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale in an Indigenous Himalayan Population

AU - Ozer, Simon

AU - Meca, Alan

AU - Schwartz, Seth J.

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Identity research has flourished in recent years based on the theoretical foundation proposed by Erikson. Identity development is generally conceptualized as a process occurring through an interplay between the individual and her or his social context. Consequently, one of the challenges facing identity research is to become more culturally sensitive—that is, to examine whether models and theories of identity work as expected in various cultural contexts. Luyckx et al.’s (2008) identity model proposes five identity exploration and commitment processes, and a survey instrument was developed to assess these processes. The current study tests this Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS) in an indigenous population of emerging adults from Ladakh. Results confirm the central dimensions of identity exploration and commitment. However, the original DIDS structure was not identically replicated in this population, suggesting that identity models should be developed or adapted to the specific sociocultural context.

AB - Identity research has flourished in recent years based on the theoretical foundation proposed by Erikson. Identity development is generally conceptualized as a process occurring through an interplay between the individual and her or his social context. Consequently, one of the challenges facing identity research is to become more culturally sensitive—that is, to examine whether models and theories of identity work as expected in various cultural contexts. Luyckx et al.’s (2008) identity model proposes five identity exploration and commitment processes, and a survey instrument was developed to assess these processes. The current study tests this Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS) in an indigenous population of emerging adults from Ladakh. Results confirm the central dimensions of identity exploration and commitment. However, the original DIDS structure was not identically replicated in this population, suggesting that identity models should be developed or adapted to the specific sociocultural context.

KW - India

KW - Ladakh

KW - commitment

KW - exploration

KW - identity

KW - measurement

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042219795&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/2167696818754919

DO - 10.1177/2167696818754919

M3 - Journal article

SN - 2167-6984

VL - 7

SP - 45

EP - 51

JO - Emerging Adulthood

JF - Emerging Adulthood

IS - 1

ER -