A Meta-analytic Review of Berzonskys Identity Style Inventory

Leslie A. Bosch and Noel A. Card, University of Arizona

Abstract Methods Results (continued)

Berzonskys (1988) identity processing model has been a popular means of examining various dimensions of Studies were obtained using four methods: Table 2. Summary of Meta-analyses of Associations between Identity Style and Commitment
adolescent identity formation for the past 20 years. Focusing on studies that employed the Identity Style 1. Key word search: We conducted computerized literature searches of the PsycINFO, ERIC, (K = 27, N = 6,563)
Inventory (Berzonsky, 1989), we performed three meta-analytic reviews. Sociological Abstracts, and Proquest (for unpublished dissertations) databases using the keywords
identity style and Berzonsky (last search performed December 2009)
Informational Normative with Diffuse-avoidant
First, we performed meta-analytic reviews of 50 studies (N = 12,482) reporting associations among the 2. Backward search: We examined references cited in other articles
with Commitment Commitment with Commitment
informational, normative, and diffuse-avoidant identity styles. Results show a medium positive association 3. Forward search: Berzonskys (1989) seminal article was entered into Social Science Citation Index
between the informational and normative styles, a medium negative association between informational and 4. Expert feedback: We asked identity experts to examine our list of reports
diffuse-avoidant styles, and a negligible negative association between the normative and diffuse-avoidant styles. Mean r .52* .59* -.54*
A total of 85 journal articles and dissertations were located and reviewed for potential inclusion. We included 95% C. I. .49 to .55 .57 to .62 -.57 to -.52
These relations were moderated by the samples age and country of origin. studies that met three criteria: Heterogeneity (Q) 116.99* 127.48* 95.22*
Second, we performed meta-analytic reviews of 27 studies (N = 6,563) reporting associations among the 1. Used some version of Berzonskys (1989) Identity Style Inventory
2. Presented data on associations for all three identity styles Age moderation Qbetween(2)^ 52.78* 63.23* 28.90*
informational, normative, and diffuse-avoidant identity styles and commitment. Results show large positive
High school (k = 2) .53 .79 -.40
associations between commitment and both the informational and normative identity styles, and a large
College (k = 22) .49 .57 -.52
negative association between commitment and the diffuse-avoidant style. These relations were moderated by

Results
Adult (k = 2) .76 .79 -.70
the samples age and country of origin.
Country moderation Qbetween(1)+ 15.17* 13.95* 19.19*
Finally, we performed meta-analytic reviews of 10 studies (N = 2,757) reporting associations among the
US (k = 18) .56 .62 -.58
informational, normative, and diffuse-avoidant identity styles and gender. Results show a small positive
We conducted three fixed-effects weighted meta-analyses to summarize associations (corrected for Other (k = 8) .50 .58 -.53
association between gender and the diffuse-avoidant identity style, with men scoring higher than women.
unreliability) among:
Publication moderation Qbetween(1) 1.45 .45 1.06
1) the three identity style scales (see Table 1) Published (k = 24)

Background 2) the three identity styles and commitment (see Table 2)

3) the three identity styles and gender (see Table 3)
Unpublished (k = 3)

*p < .001
We also preformed analyses of the heterogeneity in effect sizes across studies. When significant ^One study was excluded because it contained data from two age categories: high school and college (N = 6,049)
Based on Eriksons (1968) theory of psychosocial development, Berzonsky (1988) developed a social-cognitive results were found, assuming a sufficient number of studies, we evaluated potential sources of +One study was excluded because it contained data from three countries: US, Czechoslovakia, and Finland (N = 6,086)
model that distinguishes how individuals process self-relevant information and can be understood as follows: heterogeneity by: Canada (2 studies), Belgium (1), Greece (2), Italy (1), Netherlands (1), and Slovakia (1)

Age: high school, college, and adult samples (see Table 1)

Informational style Exhibit openness to experience and a willingness to postpone judgment until they can Samples country of origin: US and Other including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Italy,
process pertinent information. Korea, Netherlands, and Slovakia (see Table 2) Table 3. Summary of Meta-analyses of Associations between Identity Style and Gender
Publication status: published and unpublished (see Table 3) (K = 10, N = 2,757)
Normative style Solve problems and make decisions based on the expectations of significant others.
Table 1. Summary of Meta-analyses of Associations between Identity Styles (K = 50, N = 12,482)
Diffuse-avoidant style Procrastinate, basing their behavior on situational demands and incentives.
Informational Normative Diffuse-avoidant
with Gender with Gender with Gender
Over the past 20 years, Berzonskys (1989) scale has been widely used to measure identity style. Informational with Informational with Normative with
Normative Diffuse-avoidant Diffuse-avoidant
Mean r -.01 -.04 .18*
Mean r .30* -.38* -.06* 95% C. I. -.06 to .03 -.09 to .01 .13 to .22
Research Questions 95% C. I. .28 to .33 -.40 to -.36 -.09 to -.04 Heterogeneity (Q) 28.74* 8.57 11.70

Heterogeneity (Q) 264.93* 293.45* 123.23* Country moderation Qbetween(1)** 2.98

The following research questions were investigated: US (k = 7) -.04
Age moderation Qbetween(2)^ 71.33* .55 .45 Other (k = 3) .04
Relations among the identity style scales: High school (k = 5) .50
College (k = 39) .24 *p < .001; Female = 0; Male = 1
RQ1: What is the relation between the informational and normative styles?
**There was an insufficient number of studies to conduct moderator analyses by age or publication.
RQ2: What is the relation between the informational and diffuse-avoidant styles? Adult (k = 5) .49
Belgium (2) and Korea (1)
RQ3: What is the relation between the normative and diffuse-avoidant styles?
Country moderation Qbetween(1)+ 39.69* 35.96* 1.40
Relations among the identity style scales and the commitment scale: US (k = 34) .36 -.32
RQ4: What is the relation between the informational style and commitment? Other (k = 15) .20 -.46
RQ5: What is the relation between the normative style and commitment?
RQ6: What is the relation between the diffuse-avoidant style and commitment? Publication moderation Qbetween(1) 2.41 .51 .78 Acknowledgements
Published (k = 42)
Gender relations among the style scales: Unpublished (k = 8)
The authors acknowledge funding from the Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, and Families for
RQ7: Do men or women have higher levels of informational style?
*p < .001 the printing of this poster.
RQ8: Do men or women have higher levels of normative style?
^One study was excluded because it used the same dataset as another study (N = 11,808)
RQ9: Do men or women have higher levels of diffuse-avoidant style? +One study was excluded because it contained data from two countries: US and Finland (N = 12,175)
Australia (2 studies), Belgium (6), Canada (2), Greece (1), Italy (1), Korea (1), Netherlands (1), and Slovakia (1)