The relationship between identity distress and the use of online environment in young people
Keywords:
Internet, self-concept, emerging adult, identity distress, attachment styleAbstract
The present study aimed to explore the relationship between identity distress in young people, use of Internet, attachment style, self-concept clarity (SCC) and transition to adulthood. Questionnaires were applied to young people aged 18 to 30 years old (N=228) and included: criteria for adulthood (Arnett, 2000), information about Internet use and the instruments „Experiences in Close Relationships – Revised Questionnaire” (Fraley, Waller, & Brennan, 2000), „The Identity Distress Survey” (Berman et al., 2004), „Self-Concept Clarity Scale” (Campbell et al., 1996). Insecure attachment and a low SCC positively predicted identity distress. Participants with high levels of identity distress reported more hours spent online, which, in turn, negatively predicted SCC. The variability in meeting adulthood criteria was partly explained by SCC and time spent online, but the result was different between participants under and over 25 years old. The present work emphasizes the implications of Internet use for identity clarification and adulthood transition, suggesting the need of a more thorough consideration of online environment as a negative predictor of such processes. Moreover, it is outlined the importance of taking into account the emotional aspect of self-clarification when exploring the relationships stated above.
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