In this chapter, we critically discuss contemporary approaches to infer identity statuses. We will focus on how identity statuses can be delineated through a person-centered approach (e.g., cluster analysis and latent class/profile analysis [LCA/LPA]). These methods can depict how multiple variables are configured within persons, capturing identity statuses as indicated by questionnaire data. We detail the theoretical rationale for deriving identity statuses using a person’s scores on identity processes. We focus on how these approaches integrate classic identity status research with more novel identity process research. We critically discuss the differences in the way that statuses are derived with structured interviews compared to questionnaires, debating what each of the approaches contributes. We also highlight how a person-centered approach for deriving identity status clusters can provide additional insights to identity status models. Next, we detail these procedures using concrete examples for cluster analysis and LCAs/LPAs. In this, we explain how identity status clusters were derived at the person-level, using participants’ scores on identity processes. For both techniques, we focus on a step-by-step description of how we depicted the identity statuses, also comparing the results of cluster analysis and LCA/LPA on the same dataset. Additionally, we present requirements, general concerns regarding person-centered approaches, and specific concerns for each technique. Last, we present limitations of this approach and detail directions for future research. We ground this discussion on the results of recent studies that depicted identity statuses through cluster-analytic procedures in different cultural in order to analyze differences and points of convergence.

This chapter addresses Erik Homburger Erikson’s original concept of identity and describes how that concept evolved through the course of his writings. A number of attempts have been made to operationalize Erikson’s concept of identity for research purposes, and this chapter turns to one of the most popular of these efforts, the work of James Marcia. The empirical and clinical origins of Marcia’s identity status approach is described, and the rationale for and development of Marcia’s identity status measure (individual interviews scored with a comprehensive, theoretically consistent manual) is overviewed. The construct validation of the statuses and, thus, of selected elements of Erikson’s theoretical concept of identity are detailed. A review of key empirical relationships between identity status and selected personality variables, antecedent and consequent conditions, as well as developmental patterns of identity change over time is presented. The chapter then addresses more recent identity approaches that also assess exploration and commitment processes, along with their strengths and limitations. The clinical implications of Marcia’s identity statuses are discussed, and the chapter concludes with thoughts on the past, present, and future of identity studies.