title: An examination of the cross-cultural validity of the Identity Capital Model: American and Japanese students compared.
abstract: The Identity Capital Model proposes that forms of personal agency are associated with identity development as part of the transition to adulthood. This model was examined in two cultural contexts, taking into account age and gender, among college and university students aged 18 to 24 (N = 995). Confirmatory Factor Analyses verified cultural, age, and gender invariance of the two key operationalizations of the model. A Structural Equation Model path analysis confirmed that the model applies in both cultures with minor variations-types of personal agency are associated with the formation of adult- and societal-identities as part of the resolution of the identity stage. It was concluded that forms of personal agency providing the most effective ways of dealing with "individualization" (e.g., internal locus of control) are more important in the transition to adulthood among American students, whereas types of personal agency most effective in dealing with "individualistic collectivism" (e.g., ego strength) are more important among Japanese students.
authors.affiliation: The University of Western Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: cote@uwo.ca.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Côté
authors.affiliation: Kyoto University, Japan. Electronic address: mizokami.shinichi.4u@kyoto-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mizokami
authors.affiliation: Renison University College at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Electronic address: serobert@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Sharon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Hyogo University of Teacher Education, Japan. Electronic address: rayraycocco@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nakama
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005006:Ethnicity; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification; D013334:Students; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adult identity; Agency; Cross-cultural comparisons; Identity formation; Transition to adulthood; University students