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Project

Identity formation and body-related symptoms from late childhood to emerging adulthood: A developmental perspective on trans-diagnostic processes

Body-related psychopathological symptoms, such as eating disorder symptoms and somatic symptoms (i.e., unpleasant physical sensations such as pain, weakness, and fatigue), are frequently reported among adolescents and emerging adults (Bohman et al., 2018; Quick & Byrd‐Bredbenner, 2013). These symptoms are associated with substantial suffering and impairment, and the impact of these symptoms on young individuals’ daily lives can be disabling (Hornberger et al., 2021; Palermo, 2000). Hence, research needs to attend to developmental factors relating to – and potentially contributing to – eating disorder symptoms and somatic symptoms in these challenging life periods. The way adolescents and emerging adults shape their identity has already (and consistently so) been related to psychosocial functioning (Klimstra & Denissen, 2017). Previous research indeed demonstrated that identity functioning is related to body-related psychopathology such as eating disorder symptoms or non-suicidal self-injury (Gandhi et al., 2017; Verschueren et al., 2018). However, although Erikson (1968) already posited that a fragile sense of self may also be associated with somatic symptoms, research tackling the relationship between the developmental task of identity formation and somatic symptoms is lacking.

In order to expand the current knowledge on the link between identity and body-related symptoms, the present project aims to investigate this link using multiple cross-sectional and longitudinal studies focusing on the developmental periods of (late) childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood. More specifically, we aim to address three main research objectives. The first objective examines developmental associations between different body-related pathological symptoms (i.e., eating disorder symptoms, somatic symptoms, and symptom-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors), to improve our understanding of the temporal relationship linking these different symptoms. Further, in the second objective, we first investigate how identity functioning is related to somatic symptoms and symptom-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and explore the potential mediating mechanism of negative affect in this association. Second, we assess identity in relation to the experience of various psychopathological symptoms, which will increase our understanding of the trans-diagnostic role of identity in relation to different psychopathological symptoms. Finally, the third objective involves the role of (early) traumatic experiences in the association between identity and different psychopathological symptoms.

This research project may improve our understanding of how identity functioning and different types of (body-related) psychopathological symptoms are developmentally associated throughout (late) childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood. Moreover, it will allow us to identify underlying mechanisms that play a role in this relationship between identity and psychopathology. These insights may provide important information about the role of identity functioning in prevention and intervention programs of psychopathology.

Date:1 Oct 2020 →  Today
Keywords:Identity, Somatic symptoms
Disciplines:Social and emotional development, Psychopathology
Project type:PhD project