According to Erik Erikson, identity is an important precursor to the satisfaction that one gains from intimate relationships during adulthood. Identity styles refer to the processes by which individuals construct and reconstruct their personal identity or sense of self. Berzonsky identified the following three identity styles (orientations): information orientation, characterized by exploration, evaluation, and use of self-relevant information; normative orientation, characterized by conformity to the expectations of significant others; and diffuse orientation, characterized by procrastination and avoidance. This study assessed the degree to which similarity in identity styles contributes to marital satisfaction among recently married couples (N = 84 couples). Analyses indicate that (a) men report greater marital satisfaction than women, (b) couples with similar identity styles report greater marital satisfaction than couples with dissimilar identity styles, and (c) women's reports of marital satisfaction are more influenced (than men) by similarity of identity style.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Adams, G. R. , Gullotta, T. P., & Montemayor, R. (Eds.). (1992). Adolescent identity formation: An annual book series. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
2.
Akers, J. F. , Jones, R. M., & Coyl, D. D. (1998). Adolescent friendship pairs: Similarities in identity status development, behaviors, attitudes, and intentions. Journal of Adolescent Research, 13, 178-201.
3.
Archer, S. L. (1992). A feminists approach to identity research. In G. R. Adams, T. P. Gullotta, & R. Montemayor (Eds.), Adolescent identity formation: An annual book series (pp. 25-49). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
4.
Bartle-Haring, S. , & Strimple, R. (1996). Association of identity and intimacy: An exploration of gender and sex-role orientation. Psychological Reports, 79, 1255-1264.
5.
Bartz, K. , & Nye, F. I. (1970). Early marriage: A propositional formulation. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 32, 258-268.
6.
Berzonsky, M. D. (1988). Self-theorists, identity status, and social cognition. In D. K. Lapsley & F. C. Powers (Eds.), Self, ego, and identity: Integrative approaches (pp. 243-262). New York/Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
7.
Berzonsky, M. D. (1989). Identity style: Conceptualization and measurement. Journal of Adolescent Research, 4, 268-282.
8.
Berzonsky, M. D. (1992a). Identity style and coping strategies. Journal of Personality, 60, 771-788.
9.
Berzonsky, M. D. (1992b). A process perspective on identity and stress management. In G. R. Adams, R. Montemayor, & T. Gullotta (Eds.), Advances in personal construct psychology (Vol. 1, pp. 155-186). Greenwich, CT: JAI.
10.
Berzonsky, M. D. , & Adams, G. R. (1999). Reevaluating the identity status paradigm: Still useful after 35 years. Developmental Review, 19, 557-590.
11.
Burleson, B. R. , & Denton, W. H. (1992). A new look at similarity and attraction in marriage: Similarities in social-cognitive and communication skills as predictors of attraction and satisfaction. Communication Monographs, 59, 268-287.
12.
Burr, W. (1973). Theory construction and the sociology of the family. New York: John Wiley.
13.
Busby, D. , Christensen, C., Crane, D. R., & Larson, J. (1995). A revision of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale for use with distressed and nondistressed couples: Construct hierarchy and multidimensional scales. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 21, 289-308.
14.
Dyk, P. A. , & Adams, G. R. (1990). Identity and intimacy: An initial investigation of three theoretical models using cross-lag panel correlations. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 19, 91-110.
15.
Erikson, E. H. (1963). Childhood and society (2nd ed.). New York: Norton.
16.
Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
17.
Glenn, N. D. (1991). The recent trend in marital success in the United States. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53, 261-270.
18.
Gottman, J. M. (1993). The roles of conflict engagement, escalation, and avoidance in marital interaction: A longitudinal view of five types of couples. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 6-15.
19.
Grotevant, H. D. , & Adams, G. R. (1984). Development of an objective measure to assess ego identity in adolescence: Validation and replication. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 11, 33-48.
20.
Houts, R. M. , Robins, E., & Huston, T. L. (1996). Compatibility and the development of premarital relationships. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 58, 7-20.
21.
Ickes, W. (1993). Traditional gender roles: Do they make, and then break, our relationships?Journal of Social Issues, 49, 71-85.
22.
Jones, R. M. , Ross, C., & Hartmann, B. R. (1992). An investigation of cognitive style and alcohol/work-related problems among naval personnel. Journal of Drug Education, 22, 241-251.
23.
Josselson, R. (1987). Finding herself: Pathways to identity development in women. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
24.
Kaslow, F. , & Robison, J. A. (1996). Long-term satisfying marriages: Perceptions of contributing factors. American Journal of Family Therapy, 24, 153-170.
25.
Knox, D. , Zusman, M., & Nieves, W. (1997). College students' homogamous preferences for a date and a mate. College Student Journal, 31, 445-448.
26.
Kurdek, L. A. (1993). Predicting marital dissolution: A 5-year prospective longitudinal study of newlywed couples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64, 221-242.
27.
Larsen, A. S. , & Olson, D. H. (1989). Predicting marital satisfaction using PREPARE: A replication study. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 15, 311-322.
28.
Larson, J. H. , & Holman, T. B. (1994). Premarital predictors of marital quality and stability. Family Relations, 43, 228-237.
29.
Lehrer, E. L. , & Chiswick, C. U. (1993). Religion as a determinant of marital stability. Demography, 30, 385-404.
30.
Levy-Shiff, R. (1994). Individual and contextual correlates of marital change across the transition to parenthood. Developmental Psychology, 30, 591-601.
31.
National Center for Health Statistics . (1990). Advance report of final marriage statistics. Monthly Vital Statistics Report, 38(Suppl.), 1-22.
32.
Raskin, P. (1986). The relationship between identity and intimacy in early adulthood. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 147, 167-181.
33.
Shek, D. T. (1995). Gender differences in marital quality and well-being in Chinese married adults. Sex Roles, 32, 699-715.
34.
Sprey, J. (1971). On the management of conflict in families. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 33, 722-731.
35.
Streitmatter, J. (1993). Identity status and identity style: A replication study. Journal of Adolescence, 16, 211-215.
36.
Tesch, S. , & Whitbourne, S. (1982). Intimacy and identity status in young adults. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 43, 1041-1051.
37.
Thornton, A. , & Rodgers, W. L. (1987). The influence of individual and historical time on marital dissolution. Demography, 24, 1-22.
38.
Wallerstein, J. S. (1994). The early psychological tasks of marriage. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 64, 640-650.
39.
White, J. M. , & Jones, R. M. (1996). Identity styles of male inmates. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 23, 490-504.
