Considering the negatively formed identity: Relationships between negative identity and problematic psychosocial beliefs

Abstract

Introduction: Developing a firm sense of identity is a critical developmental task in adolescence and emerging adulthood, but little or no empirical research exists regarding individuals who firmly form negative identities and psychosocial beliefs. This study examined the formation of negative identities in youth and its association with psychosocial beliefs in terms of variable-oriented psychosocial facets (i.e., dichotomous beliefs, cynicism, and social distrust) and person-oriented psychosocial profiles.

Methods: A total of 2313 young Japanese people (70.9% were females) aged 18-25 years answered the self-report questionnaire.

Results: We consequently found that individuals with negative identities possessed problematic psychosocial facets, such as high dichotomous beliefs and cynicism, as well as low social trust. Furthermore, individuals with negative identities had profile characterized by strong hostility toward others/societies.

Conclusions: Overall, our study provided a comprehensive understanding of how youth with negative identities face difficulty in constructing relationships with society, which has been neglected in prior research.

Keywords: Identity content valence; Japanese young people; Negative identity; Psychosocial beliefs; Twenty statements test.