Erikson's psychosocial developmental theory assumes that valence of one's identity (i.e., identity content valence) defined by positive and negative identity elements is important for understanding patterns of (mal)adaptation. However, previous empirical research on identity and (mal)adaptation has focused on how individuals deal with identity issues (e.g., exploration and commitment), while neglecting identity content valences. In contrast, this study assessed identity content valences in terms of positive and negative identity elements. Theoretically, identity content valences affect (mal)adaptation, whereas individuals’ (mal)adaptation influences their identities. Consequently, this study examined reciprocal relationships between identity content valences and adaptation (i.e., prosocial behaviors) and maladaptation (e.g., externalizing symptoms) in a sample of Japanese young adults, including socioculturally relevant indicators of maladaptation (i.e., hikikomori symptoms and suicidal ideation). This study includes 2,313 Japanese young adults who participated in a three-wave longitudinal study. The cross-lagged panel model and random intercept cross-lagged panel model revealed reciprocal relationships between identity content valences and (mal)adaptation at the between-person level. Negative identity elements positively predicted suicidal ideation. Meanwhile, prosocial behaviors positively predicted positive identity elements, whereas hikikomori symptoms and suicidal ideation positively predicted negative identity elements. These relationships were significant only for socioculturally relevant indicators, suggesting the importance of considering sociocultural contexts.

埃里克森的心理社会发展理论假设，由正面和负面身份元素定义的身份效价（即身份内容效价）对于理解（不良）适应模式很重要。然而，先前关于身份和（不良）适应的实证研究集中在个人如何处理身份问题（例如，探索和承诺），而忽略了身份内容效价。相比之下，本研究根据积极和消极的身份元素评估身份内容效价。从理论上讲，身份内容效价会影响（错误）适应，而个人的（错误）适应会影响他们的身份。因此，本研究考察了身份内容效价与适应（即亲社会行为）和适应不良（例如，外化症状）在日本年轻人样本中，包括与社会文化相关的适应不良指标（即，隐匿性症状和自杀意念）。这项研究包括 2,313 名日本年轻人，他们参与了一项三波纵向研究。交叉滞后面板模型和随机截距交叉滞后面板模型揭示了身份内容效价和（错误）适应在人与人之间的相互关系。消极的身份元素积极预测自杀意念。同时，亲社会行为正向预测积极的身份元素，而隐居症状和自杀意念正向预测消极的身份元素。这些关系仅对社会文化相关指标显着，