Beyond Self-Esteem: Influence of Multiple Motives on Identity Construction

Diverse theories suggest that people are motivated to maintain or enhance feelings of self-esteem, continuity,\r\ndistinctiveness, belonging, efficacy, and meaning in their identities. Four studies tested the influence of these\r\nmotives on identity construction, by using a multilevel regression design. Participants perceived as more\r\ncentral those identity elements that provided a greater sense of self-esteem, continuity, distinctiveness, and\r\nmeaning; this was found for individual, relational, and group levels of identity, among various populations,\r\nand by using a prospective design. Motives for belonging and efficacy influenced identity definition indirectly\r\nthrough their direct influences on identity enactment and through their contributions to self-esteem. Participants\r\nwere happiest about those identity elements that best satisfied motives for self-esteem and efficacy.\r\nThese findings point to the need for an integrated theory of identity motivation.