Ego identity statuses of the Lebanese youth in late adolescence. (c2014)

Abstract

This study had three purposes: To examine Marcia’s ego identity paradigm in a sample of Lebanese youth in late adolescence, to investigate gender differences, and to examine the relationship between individuals’ ego identity statuses and their academic achievement. The study was implemented at a private university located in Beirut, using a sample of 262 students selected randomly from the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior classes. The students ranged in age between 18 and 21 years. The Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (EIPQ) was used to measure the participants’ level of exploration and commitment across eight domains (Occupation, Religion, Politics, Values, Family, Friendships, Dating, and Sex Roles) to classify them into one of the four Ego Identity Statuses: Identity Achievement, Identity Moratorium, Identity Foreclosure, and Identity Diffusion. The students’ cumulative grade point average (GPA) served as the achievement data. The results showed that the majority of participants were in the Foreclosure Identity Status (29.41%) followed by the Moratorium Identity Status (29.02%). Moreover, no significant gender differences were found. The results also indicated no significant differences between participants with regard to GPA across the four identity statuses. In future research, factors such as socio- economic class, family disruption, war, and political instability that might affect individuals’ identity statuses could be further investigated in larger samples for solid conclusions.