1. The Role of Personal Identity as a Resource for College Students during COVID-19
- Author
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Seth J. Schwartz, Beyhan Ertanir, Audrey Harkness, Byron L. Zamboanga, Melissa L. Bessaha, John B. Bartholomew, Alan Meca, Minas Michikyan, Maria Duque, Pablo Montero-Zamora, Claudia López-Madrigal, Linda G. Castillo, Miguel Ángel Cano, Kaveri Subrahmanyam, Brandy Piña-Watson, Pamela Regan, Lindsay S. Ham, Marissa K. Hanson, and Charles R. Martinez
- Abstract
Objective: We examined the role of personal identity vis-à-vis COVID-related outcomes among college students from seven U.S. campuses during spring/summer 2021. Participants: The present sample consisted of 1,688 students (74.5% female, age range 18-29). The sample was ethnically diverse, and 57.3% were first-generation students. Procedures: Students completed an online survey assessing personal identity synthesis and confusion, COVID-related worries, general internalizing symptoms, positive adaptation, and general well-being. Results: Personal identity synthesis was negatively related to COVID-related worries and general internalizing symptoms, and positively related to positive adaptation, both directly and indirectly through life satisfaction and psychological well-being. Personal identity confusion evidenced an opposing set of direct and indirect associations with outcome variables. Conclusions: Personal identity may potentially be protective against pandemic-related distress among college students, in part through its association with well-being. Reducing identity confusion and promoting identity synthesis are essential among college students during this and future pandemics.
- Published
- 2025
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