Cognitive Reappraisal and the Growth Mediation of the Relationship between Identity Coherence and Identity Consolidation

Stage 1 full Manuscript etitled Cognitive Reappraisal and the Growth Mediation of the Relationship between Identity Coherence and Identity Consolidation Abstract Understanding whether cognitive reappraisal and quiet ego growth function as primary underlying mechanisms that translate internal identity coherence into stable identity consolidation is vital for understanding how well-being is maintained and development of complex mental disorders is prevented. Moving beyond the causal limitations of traditional cross-sectional research in this research project, we will employ a two-study experimental-causal-chain mediation design administered via the Gorilla Experiment Builder. In Study 1, identity coherence will be manipulated by randomly assigning participants to autonomous versus controlled self-determination conditions during an affective processing task to establish its causal effects on emotional reframing (cognitive reappraisal and growth) and identity consolidation. In Study 2, cognitive reappraisal and growth orientations will be directly manipulated (change emotional response versus view) to isolate their explicit downstream effects on role internalisation (identity consolidation). Data from 135 participants drawn from the general population will be integrated using multigroup path modelling and Bayesian within-subject mediation frameworks. Two prespecified positive controls will be used to validate the baseline psychometric associations before we evaluate our primary hypothesis. Ultimately, our research project will clarify the directional, self-regulatory scaffolding necessary to support adaptive identity development.