The process of identity formation is complex for many; however, for immigrant populations experiencing acculturation and acculturative stress, the process may be particularly difficult. The current study examined the impact of immigration, acculturation, social support, and acculturative stress on identity formation and identity distress during the added stress of COVID-19. Late-adolescent college students from large enrollment psychology courses completed an anonymous online survey battery for course credit (N = 462). Results indicate that identity distress was higher among first-generation immigrants than second- and third-generation; however, it was highest for those with mixed parentage (one immigrant and one native-born parent). Further, acculturative stress and COVID-19 anxiety better predicted identity distress than identity development factors alone, and acculturative stress appeared to mediate the relationship between social support and identity distress. This study highlights the need for additional resources for immigrant students, especially during the current pandemic.

Previous research has indicated a relationship between risk propensity and the Dark Tetrad personality traits (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism). No research has yet been conducted to analyze the relationship between Dark Tetrad personality traits and adaptive or maladaptive identity development. Of interest is whether the Dark Tetrad personality traits are related to identity development and how these factors might affect risk propensity or participation in risk-taking behaviors (e.g., drug use). College students (N = 424) completed an anonymous online survey battery. Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism positively predicted maladaptive identity development, while narcissism inversely predicted pathological identity factors and positively predicted consolidated identity. Consolidated identity, disturbed identity, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy were found to be positive predictors of risk propensity. Finally, narcissism appeared to mediate the relationship between consolidated identity and risk propensity. This study highlights the need for identity-based interventions for adolescents and young adults who may be at risk for delinquent or externalizing behaviors. Further results and their implications are discussed.

This paper presents the development and validation of the Transgender Health, Resilience, Inner Well-Being, Vitality, and Empowerment (THRIVE) Scale. It offers insights into the well-being of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals, by considering their unique experiences and challenges. TGD individuals often experience significant health disparities, including mental health issues, substance abuse, physical health problems, and difficulty with providers knowing about their needs. A comprehensive quality-of-life assessment could aid in identifying contributions to poor quality of life (QOL) and knowing which resources are needed to address this effectively. Assessments attempting to address these challenges often have not been studied adequately and/or have limitations of being for one-time use, surgery-focused, lengthy, emotionally taxing, and not inclusive of non-binary individuals’ specific needs. Validated among a sample of TGD individuals (N = 61), the THRIVE scale displayed good internal consistency reliability (α = 0.87), as well as convergent and divergent validity. It had significant negative correlations with measures of psychological symptoms and identity distress and positive correlations with measures of life satisfaction and well-being. The THRIVE scale represents a critical advancement in assessing the QOL of TGD individuals and could be an effective tool for individualized care, research, and conversation with these populations.

A sample of 334 college students reporting a highly stressful event completed the Scales for Transformational Change, an instrument assessing transformative, positive, and negative changes from prior to the stressful event to the present. They also completed measures of the quality of identity functioning. Transformative change correlated positively with both positive and negative change and the stress level experienced. Transformative change was more strongly associated with positive as opposed to negative change. Cluster analysis revealed three patterns of change: (a) Positive Transformative Change, (b) Decompensational Change, and (c) Relative Stability. The Positive Transformative Change group was associated with reports of improved identity functioning and the Relative Stability group tended to improve as well. The Decompensational Change group showed only a modest decrease in identity functioning. The results indicate that experiencing stress is associated with subsequent positive identity functioning among emerging adults more so than disruptive decompensation.