Using Cluster analysis to Explore the Relation Between Self-identity and Mental Health in Emerging Adulthood

• Main Authors: TSENG, HSIAO-CHING, 曾筱凈
• Other Authors: CHEN, KUN-HU
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/puhh4y

碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 臨床心理學系碩士班 === 107 === In the past 50 years, the transition from adolescence to adulthood has become longer (Arnett, 2000; Shanahan, 2000), which is known as “emerging adulthood”. One of the important characteristics of this stage is self-identity explorations, especially in the areas of career planning and love relationships. Besides, self-identity is extremely relevant with quality of life and mental health. However, researchers have expressed doubts about the results of identity studies that have adopted the variable-centered approach. For example, Asendorpf (2015) argued that the variable-centered approach overlooks the uniqueness of individual, whereas the person-centered approach can attain ecological validity and demonstrate the individual’s behavioral and psychological features. Therefore, this study proposes that when considering self-identity and psychological adaptation in emerging adulthood, it is necessary not only to include the two major identity areas (personal identity and relational identity) but also to conduct research using person-centered approach (cluster analysis method). In this study, we use an online questionnaire. The measures include QIF-III, QII-III, SWLS, RES, SCL-90R, Risk-taking Behavior Inventory and Social Alienation Inventory. A total of 777 participants completed measures. Seven types of identity were emerged by cluster analysis, including "high achievement", "moderate achievement", "low achievement", "personal alienation", "relational alienation", "low alienation " and "high alienation ". Results indicate that these seven types of identity show different degrees of psychological adaptation. High achievement, moderate achievement, and low achievement have a great mental adjustment; Personal alienation is a more adaptive cluster among four alienation clusters (ie, personal alienation, relational alienation, low alienation, and high alienation); low alienation and high alienation have poor psychological adjustment; relational alienation has a highest tendency to engage in risk-taking behavior.