Self-complexity and the sense of identity

The article presents an attempt at an empirical analysis of the relation between self-concept differentiation and the sense of identity. Patricia Linville’s concept of self-complexity and a multidimensional approach to the sense of identity have been used. The hypothesized relations of these structural characteristics of personality with self-esteem have been analyzed as well. Research results indicate no connections of self-complexity with the sense of consistency, stability, separateness, accessibility of identity content, or self-esteem. However, cluster analysis revealed the presence of three groups with characteristic combinations of identity and self-complexity dimensions as well as different self-esteem levels. The psychological significance of these differences is discussed.