In this master’s thesis, we studied the relationship between identity processes, decision-making styles, and authentic self-expression on social media among young adults. In the theoretical section, we reviewed the literature and the findings of previous studies that studied these dimensions. In the empirical part, we presented a quantitative study.
The study had 249 participants aged between 18 and 26, of whom 203 (82%) were women and 46 (18%) were men. The average age of the participants was 22.8 years. The study was conducted via the 1KA Arnes online portal. For the purposes of the study, we used a combination of three questionnaires: the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS), the Melbourne Decision-Making Questionnaire (MDMQ), and the Authenticity Scale (AS). For statistical data analysis, we used the Jamovi software, version 2.6.44 solid. The study showed a strong and consistent link between higher levels of self-alienation and acceptance of external influences and higher levels of ruminative identity exploration. From these data, we can conclude that difficulties in authentic expression lead to less flexible forms of identity exploration. Individuals who scored higher on self-alienation and acceptance of external influences reported lower commitment and weaker identification with their causes, suggesting that a lack of authentic expression hinders the formation of a stable identity. The subscales of acceptance of external influences and self-alienation were associated with maladaptive decision-making styles, such as buck-passing, procrastination, and hypervigilance. Such decision-making patterns can lead to a reduced ability to make independent and confident decisions and to increased feelings of anxiety. In contrast, the authentic living subscale was associated with an adaptive pattern of a vigilant decision-making style and a higher level of identity commitment. The results showed that authenticity plays a key role, particularly in ruminative exploration and the acceptance of commitments, which significantly contributes to the process of identity development and consolidation.
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