Polish version of the Identity Distress Survey: Reliability, factor structure, validity, relationships with mental health

Abstract

Introduction & Objectives

The aim of this paper is to present the process of developing and validating the Polish version of the Identity Distress Survey (IDS-PL).

Method

First, the back-translation method was adopted to develop the IDS-PL. Second, four studies were conducted with a total of 738 people (67.1% female; all Caucasian) aged 17 to 27 (M = 21.90, SD = 2.23) to: 1) investigate the internal structure (confirmatory factor analyses); 2) verify the reliability (internal and test–retest); and 3) establish the criterion validity of the IDS-PL.

Results

CFA allowed us to choose the best approach to calculating IDS-PL scores and revealed that data from the Polish sample are well fitted to the internal structure of the IDS. The internal and test-retest reliability of the IDS-PL was confirmed to be acceptable. Finally, the criterion validity of the IDS-PL was established by findings indicating that stronger identity distress was related to lower self-esteem, a lower presence of meaning in life, stronger anxiety and depressiveness, and higher ruminative exploration.

Discussion

Taken together, the IDS-PL may be considered a reliable measure of identity distress that can be used in studies concerning identity development in young people.