ABSTRACT Youth develop identities in various life domains by resolving identity-related subjective distress (i.e., identity distress) as well as engaging in identity processes (e.g., exploration and commitment). Despite this proposition, previous studies have relatively neglected identity distress in different domains. Moreover, previous research on identity distress in various domains has used cross-sectional data with Western samples. To obtain a deeper understanding of identity distress, it is imperative to examine this issue using longitudinal data with non-Western samples that include heterogenous youth in terms of demographic characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the roles of various demographic factors (i.e., gender, age, parents’ educational levels, family income, and region) in trajectories of identity distress in different domains (i.e., long-term goals, career choice, friendships, sexual orientation and behavior, religion, values or beliefs, and group loyalties) among a sample of Japanese youth. A total of 912 Japanese young adults participated in a three-wave longitudinal study. Results indicated that young Japanese people are likely to experience severe identity distress for domains that are closely related to their future goals. Additionally, the findings highlighted the relationships between various demographic factors and trajectories of identity distress, reflecting rapid changes in cultural values and social situations in contemporary Japan.

中文翻译：

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青年人不同生活领域的人口统计学因素与身份窘迫轨迹的关系：一项三波纵向研究

摘要 青年通过解决与身份相关的主观困扰（即身份困扰）以及参与身份过程（例如探索和承诺），在各个生活领域发展身份。尽管有这个命题，但之前的研究相对忽略了不同领域的身份困扰。此外，之前在各个领域对身份困扰的研究使用了西方样本的横截面数据。为了更深入地了解身份困扰，必须使用纵向数据和非西方样本来研究这个问题，这些样本包括人口统计学特征方面的异质青年。本研究旨在调查各种人口因素（即性别、年龄、父母的教育水平、家庭收入、和地区）在不同领域（即长期目标、职业选择、友谊、性取向和行为、宗教、价值观或信仰以及群体忠诚度）的日本青年样本中的身份困扰轨迹。共有 912 名日本年轻人参加了一项三波纵向研究。结果表明，对于与他们未来目标密切相关的领域，日本年轻人可能会经历严重的身份困扰。此外，研究结果强调了各种人口因素与身份困扰轨迹之间的关系，反映了当代日本文化价值观和社会状况的快速变化。和群体忠诚度）在日本青年样本中。共有 912 名日本年轻人参加了一项三波纵向研究。结果表明，对于与他们未来目标密切相关的领域，日本年轻人可能会经历严重的身份困扰。此外，研究结果强调了各种人口因素与身份困扰轨迹之间的关系，反映了当代日本文化价值观和社会状况的快速变化。和群体忠诚度）在日本青年样本中。共有 912 名日本年轻人参加了一项三波纵向研究。结果表明，对于与他们未来目标密切相关的领域，日本年轻人可能会经历严重的身份困扰。此外，研究结果强调了各种人口因素与身份困扰轨迹之间的关系，反映了当代日本文化价值观和社会状况的快速变化。