The Relationship Between Self-Concept Clarity and Meaning in Life Among Adolescents: Based on Variable-Centered Perspective and Person-Centered Perspective

Abstract

A clear understanding of one’s identity is essential for adolescents to lead a meaningful and purposeful life. We investigated the relationship between self-concept clarity and meaning in life among 2288 adolescents through a cross-sectional survey, using both variable-centered and person-centered approaches. The results revealed a significant positive correlation between self-concept clarity and meaning in life among Chinese adolescents, as well as its dimensions. Three distinct profiles of self-concept clarity were identified among adolescents: high, medium, and low. The profile with high self-concept clarity had the highest meaning in life, followed by the moderate self-concept clarity profile, while the low self-concept clarity group had the lowest meaning in life. The findings underscore the enduring impact of self-concept clarity on adolescents’ meaning in life, affirming its central function within the self-concept structure in shaping meaning in life.