Developing a scale for measuring ego identity
Subject Areas : روان درمانگری
1 - Azad University Tehran, South Branch
Keywords: Reliability, gender, student, validity, smallest space analysis, ego identity,
Abstract :
The development of a valid and reliable ego identity scale which takes into account the cultural characteristics of the Iranian society is a fundamental matter. To develop such scale, 442 female (N = 249) and male (N = 193) university students were administrated a researcher-devised questionnaire, originating from Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (Adams, Bennion & Hugh, 1989, Adams, 1998). The structure and content of scale were analyzed, using the Smallest Space Analysis (SSA) technique. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Findings suggest the accuracy of four identity statuses of the questionnaire (achieved, moratorium, foreclosed and diffused) derived through internal consistency (alpha coefficients ranged from 0.77 to 0.85), and the reliability of Marcia’s theoretical model (1966) of ego identity (exploration and commitment) for measurement in Iranian culture. Content and structural analysis of ego identity made possible the identification of all above mentioned status of ego and showed that the constituted areas of identity status were clearly distinguishable. Data suggest that the developed scale of Ego Identity Measurement can be a reliable instrument for measuring ego identity in both genders.