Life Span Development of Self-Continuity in late Adulthood: The Impact of Chronological Age, Loss of Partner and Aversive Childhood Events

Abstract

ABSTRACT Self-continuity is a central process of identity that connects one’s past and present. Research is limited regarding the life-course determinants of self-continuity and its development in later life. We used multilevel hierarchical models to investigate how the occurrence of life-course adversity (e.g., childhood adversity or partner loss) and the accumulation of resources shapes the perception of self-continuity in mid and later life, with respect to both their levels and changes over time. A three-wave longitudinal data set was used. The sample consisted of divorcees (n = 396), widows and widowers (n = 319), and married individuals (control; n = 513) in the second half of life. The divorcees had the lowest levels of self-continuity compared to the married and widowed individuals. Self-continuity increased with age for all marital status groups but followed differential trajectories. The divorcees were the most vulnerable group regarding their level and development of self-continuity. More childhood adversity was associated with less self-continuity for all groups, showing the influence of distal adversity on later life identity processes. Our findings illustrate that self-continuity changes as a function of age but differs based on the adverse events experienced across the life course.