A longitudinal study of ego identity status interview domains

The present investigation was designed to explore a series of questions raised by previous developmental, gender, and congruence studies of ego identity status interview domains. A total of 76 late adolescent New Zealanders participated in identity status interviews following their first assessments two years previously. Results provide some support for a "focal model" of domain resolution, whereby psychosocial identity issues are addressed sequentially rather than concurrently. Few sex differences emerged in either developmental patterns of change or in the salience of interview components. The use of domain ratings in ways suggested by this study would allow a clearer picture of the identity formation process to emerge in future identity status research.