Identity and values in adolescents A study in Iran

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to analyse the relationship between identity status and personal values. The statistical population included all freshmen from University of Tehran in 2015. The sample consisted of 100 students who were selected by convenience sampling. The chosen research method is descriptive correlational. Bennion and Adams’ Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status and the personal values questionnaire were used for measuring the identity bases and personal values, respectively. The results of this study show that there is a positive significant relationship between achieved Identity status and religious values (p < 0.01), diffused identity and economic values (p < 0.05), diffused identity and value of power (p < 0.05), foreclosure identity status and religious values (p < 0.05) and foreclosure identity status and value of family (p < 0.05). In addition, the results indicate that there is a significant negative relationship between achieved identity status and economic values (p < 0.01), diffused identity and religious values (p < 0.01) and foreclosure identity status and aesthetic values (p < 0.01). In this study, the moratorium identity status showed no significant relationship with none of the variables. There was also no significant relationship between other personal values and identity status. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the quality of personal values which originates from family, society and cultural background plays a major role in the formation of identity. Other findings are also discussed.

Keywords: Identity, values, adolescents, identification, students