A meta-analytic review of Berzonsky’s Identity Style Inventory (ISI)

Identity formation is an essential developmental challenge associated with adolescence (Cote, 2009; Erikson, 1950, 1968). Berzonsky (1988) developed a social-cognitive model that distinguishes three styles by which adolescents engage the tasks associated with identity formation: informational, normative, and diffuse-avoidant. Focusing on studies (K = 62) that employed the Identity Style Inventory (ISI; Berzonsky, 1989), three meta-analytic reviews were performed. First, results show a medium positive association between the informational and normative styles, a medium negative association between informational and diffuse-avoidant styles, and a negligible negative association between the normative and diffuse-avoidant styles. Second, results show large positive associations between commitment and both the informational and normative identity styles, and a large negative association between commitment and the diffuse-avoidant style. Finally, results show a small positive association between gender and the diffuse-avoidant identity style, with men scoring higher than women. Age and country of origin were evaluated as moderators.