The Identity Development and Adjustment of Spanish Emerging Adult College Students: A Study Across Two Waves

The aim of this study was to explore identity development across two waves, and its relationship with adjustment, among Spanish emerging adults. The sample consisted of 400 emerging adult undergraduates (67% women, 33% men) aged between 18–29 years ( M = 20.31, SD = 2.04 in Wave 1; M = 23.66, SD = 2.08 in Wave 2) from two Spanish universities. Results indicated that identification with commitment decreased, and exploration in depth increased, over time. For men, cross-lagged effects showed that exploration in breadth positively predicted exploration in depth, while ruminative exploration negatively predicted commitment making. In women, identification with commitment positively predicted commitment making, and exploration in depth positively predicted exploration in breadth. Significant associations of wave 1 identity dimensions with adjustment variables at wave 2 were observed. Gender differences emerged both in terms of (a) mean levels of identity processes and (b) associations of identity processes with outcome variables.