The mediating role of children ego strength on the relationship between family functioning and children identity styles

Identity styles are developed based on a number of variables and experiences. Family has an important role on the development of children identity. How and based on what kind of mechanisms family shapes the children identity styles? The present study had two 1) examining the relationship between family functioning and children identity styles and 2) examining the mediating role of children ego strength on the relationship between family functioning and children identity styles. Two hundred and thirty seven students (123 boys, 114 girls) and their mothers participated in this study. All students were asked to complete the Identity Styles Inventory (ISI) and Ego Strength Scale (ESS). All mothers completed the Family Assessment Device (FAD). The results revealed that family functioning had a significant positive association with ego strength. Children ego strength showed a significant positive association with informational and normative identity styles (p