Impact of Identity Formation on Mental Health

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Khyati Golchha¹, Priyanka Bharti², and N. R. Mrinal³ (Department of Psychology, Ramchandra Chandravansi University, Palamu, Jharkhand¹,² and Department of Psychology, RTMNU, Nagpur, Maharashtra³)

This study investigates the influence of identity formation on mental health among young adults in Nagpur, India. Utilizing a 2×2 factorial design, the research examines differences in mental health outcomes between males and females with high levels of identity formation. A sample of 200 participants, aged 18-30, was recruited via Google Forms distributed through WhatsApp and personal networks in colleges and communities. Participants were assessed using the Modified Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory (MEPSI) for identity formation and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) for mental health. The results, analyzed through a 2×2 research design and ANOVA, revealed that individuals with well-developed identities reported significantly better mental health. Additionally, the interaction between sex and identity formation provided nuanced insights into the mental well-being of the participants. This research underscores the critical role of identity formation in promoting mental health among young adults. The findings suggest that educational and psychological interventions should emphasize identity development to enhance mental health outcomes. Future research should further explore these relationships in diverse cultural contexts to validate and extend these findings.