Personal Identity Development in Chinese Early Adolescents: Predictions From Parenting Style and Peer Relationships

ABSTRACT This four-wave longitudinal study among 698 Chinese early adolescents explored (1) how personal identity coherence and confusion develop; and (2) whether parenting style and peer relationships (i.e., close friend relationships and peer preference) were related to personal identity development. Participants (M age = 11.39 yrs., SDage = 0.53; 53.7% girls) reported perceived parenting style, close friend relationships, and personal identity in Grade 6. Peer preference was assessed using peer nominations. Personal identity was remeasured in Grades 7, 8, and 9. The multiple-indicator latent growth curve models revealed a decreased pattern in identity coherence and a curvilinear pattern in identity confusion. Higher authoritarian parenting and friend support were associated with sharper decreases in identity coherence. Implications for improving adolescent identity development were discussed.