Explanation of Students' Identity Styles Based on Early Memories and Family Functioning: A Qualitative Study

Identity is an essential factor in the decisions that people make in their lives. Early memories as recorded parts in peoplechr('39')s minds, are examples of childhood experiences closely related to family functioning. These factors underlie the formation of peoplechr('39')s identity styles. The present research was a qualitative study with the phenomenological method. The statistical population was the students of Allameh Tabatabachr('39')i University in Tehran in 2018-2019, 40 of whom entered the study by purposive sampling. Data were collected through Identity Styles Questionnaire (Berzonsky, 1992) and interviews about early memories and family functioning based on the McMaster model of family functioning. Data analysis was performed according to the phenomenological approach and Klaizi method. Findings were categorized into main and secondary themes focusing on the three themes of primary memories, family functioning, and identity styles with sub-themes specific to each. According to the study results, it can be said that early childhood memories and family functioning can be essential factors in the formation of identity styles. Therefore, the implementation of individual and group educational programs for parents on how to regulate family performance will be effective in raising children with appropriate identity styles.