Uecker, Nikodemus (2024) Exploring the Interplay of Structure of Identity, Neuroticism, and Academic SelfEfficacy Among Adolescent Boys: A Moderated Regression Analysis. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to expand knowledge on structure of identity, a proposed function of identity which currently lacks scientific research. As well as to investigate its relationship with academic self-efficacy and neuroticism, building on previous theories of the role identity development plays in adolescence. The aims of this study are important due to a current concerning trend in decreased sense of belonging, which has been likened as an affinity of identity, as well as decreased academic abilities. Furthermore, recent times have seen an increase in adolescent antisocial behaviour and mental health distress, which research has revealed are common effects of neuroticism. The study focused on a population of 447 male students from an Australian high school, aged 11-18 years of age. A correlation matrix showed a significant positive relationship between structure of identity and academic selfefficacy (r = .52, p = <.01) and a regression analysis revealed that structure of identity also acted as a significant predictor of academic self-efficacy (b = .72, p < .001). Neuroticism was negatively correlated to both structure of identity (r = -.19, p = < .01) and academic selfefficacy (r = -.11, p = <.05), but showed to positively moderate their relationship (b = .08, ΔR² = .01, p = .02) across multiple levels. An ANOVA revealed the unexpected results that structure of identity was significantly lower at the oldest age group in comparison with the two youngest, going against expectations and opening doors for future examination. Lastly, evidence for the validity of structure of identity as a measurable construct was achieved by confirming a nomological framework when observing strong positive correlations with its two personality-based foundations, self-esteem (r = .50, p = <.01), and conscientiousness (r = .42, p = <.01).
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Associate Professor Fein, Erich |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Jan 2026 06:08 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Jan 2026 06:08 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | structure of identity, academic self-efficacy, neuroticism, conscientiousness, self-esteem |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520304 Health psychology |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53122 |
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