Investigation of the process of adult identity formation during the quarter-life crisis (domestic sample)

The aim of the study is to investigate the psychological content of the quarter-life crisis as an identity crisis in a national sample. The authors formed a sample of 40 people aged 18 to 28 years old, who sought psychological help and were studying in higher education programs; the presence of a request for psychological help was considered as a possible manifestation of the quarter-life crisis. The obtained empirical results were subjected to cluster analysis, according to the results of which clusters were distinguished using identity statuses. Moreover, the results convincingly demonstrate the presence of the identity crisis at different stages of its passage. It is shown that the quarter-life crisis is indeed a normative identity crisis, with adult identity being its main new formation.