Profiling Authentic Self-Development: Associations With Basic Need Satisfaction in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Research on dispositional authenticity has accelerated in recent years. Using the Authenticity Scale and drawing upon Self-Determination Theory, we conducted a Latent Profile Analysis to determine whether two or more distinct classes of authentic self-development were identifiable across separate samples (Ns = 344 and 378) of emerging adults (18–22 year olds). We also tested whether multidimensional perfectionism and attachment insecurity were correlated with the classes of authentic self-development, and examined the association between class membership and levels of psychological need satisfaction and frustration. Our findings supported the presence of a 3-class configuration which we respectively labelled “Consolidated Authenticity,” “Unintegrated Authenticity,” and “Pre-Emergent Authenticity.” This class structure was replicated in a separate, independent sample. Results highlighted relevant variation in authentic self-development across the identified classes and yielded support for our model involving hypothesized influences on, as well as contemporary outcomes associated with, participants’ class membership.