Obligatory and Voluntary Identity Discrepancies, Self-Evaluation, and Psychological Distress

Abstract

In identity theory, inconsistencies between self-views and perceptions of others’ views of self (identity discrepancies) are considered stressors that can compromise well-being. The particular outcome(s) affected by a given identity discrepancy may depend upon the type of identity being considered. Using telephone survey data (n = 501) from a national probability sample of adults in the United States and structural equation modeling techniques, the author compares the impact of discrepancies in obligatory and voluntary identities on two components of self-evaluation (self-esteem and self-efficacy) and three types of psychological distress (depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms). Results confirm that discrepancies associated with obligatory and voluntary identities differentially affect these outcomes. Obligatory identity discrepancies have a direct association with somatic symptoms, whereas voluntary identity discrepancies are indirectly related to depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms through self-esteem. Implications of these findings for identity and mental health research, directions for future research, and study limitations are discussed.