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Congruency of Identity Style in Married Couples

Utah State University

RANDALL M. JONES

Utah State University

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.

Journal of Family Issues, Vol. 23, No. 8, 912-926 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/019251302237297


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