The role of personality characteristics in predicting student's identity styles

One of the most important topics in psychology is identity. The aim of the present study is the prediction of the identity styles (informational, normative and diffuse-avoidant), based on the personality features. The study design was descriptive correlation. Participants in this study were all of the undergraduate and graduate students of Semnan University who had been studying in the year 89-90. 220 participants in this study were chosen through available sampling. The data collecting was done by using Berzonsky Identity Style Inventory and Five Factor Inventory. The data was analyzed by using spss software, the correlation coefficient test and Stepwise regression. Analysis of the results showed that informational style and normative style have a significant negative relationship with neuroticism and have a significant positive relationship with Extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness, but just conscientiousness and openness, could considerably predict these two styles of identity. Also, there was significant positive relationship between diffuse-avoidant identity style and neuroticism. Findings of this project can partly help adolescents in achieving successful identity based on their personality features.