The Role of Identity Formation in Explaining Dynamic Risk Factors Among Incarcerated Emerging Adults

Emerging adulthood is increasingly acknowledged as a discrete developmental stage with its own specific challenges. Identity formation is a major development task during emerging adulthood, yet its relationship to dynamic risk factors remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between identity diffusion and dynamic risk factors in a sample of young, incarcerated adults. The study involved 99 males between ages of 18 and 23, serving custodial sentences in four Lithuanian prisons. Zero-order correlations showed significant relationships between the length of the current sentence and psychopathology, and the number of previous sentencing occasions and dynamic risk factors. The results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that identity diffusion explained dynamic risk factors above and beyond criminal history, protective factors, and psychopathology. These findings support a developmentally informed approach to correctional treatment, suggesting that interventions targeting identity diffusion could be suitable and beneficial for young, incarcerated adults. Limitations and future directions are discussed.