This study explores the role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in addressing identity development during life crises among adolescents. Adolescence is a critical period of self-exploration and decision-making, where individuals may face challenges in developing stable identities. Through a survey of 303 young adults, the study investigates key factors influencing identity development, including career, relationships, faith, and social connections. Descriptive statistics reveal varying levels of identity achievement, moratorium, and diffusion, with a general trend toward moderate identity development. A significant proportion of respondents’ report clarity in their career direction and relationship preferences, yet uncertainty remains in areas such as recreational activities and social attachment. These findings suggest that adolescents may fluctuate between different identity states as they navigate life crises. From a cognitive-behavioral perspective, the results highlight the potential benefits of CBT-based interventions, particularly in supporting self-reflection, value clarification, and goal setting. Such interventions can help adolescents consolidate their identities and foster more effective coping strategies in the face of life challenges. The study emphasizes the importance of providing tailored support to adolescents to facilitate their journey toward healthy identity development during critical periods of self-discovery.
Álamo, M., & Llorent, V. J. (2024). Identity Formation of Pre-Service Teachers. Relations with Training and Attitudes toward Cultural Diversity. International Journal of Educational Psychology, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.17583/ijep.12542
Avci, H., Baams, L., & Kretschmer, T. (2024). A Systematic Review of Social Media Use and Adolescent Identity Development. Adolescent Research Review, 10(2), 219–236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-024-00251-1
Becht, A., Nelemans, S. A., Branje, S., Vollebergh, W., & Meeus, W. (2021). Daily Identity Dynamics in Adolescence Shaping Identity in Emerging Adulthood: An 11-Year Longitudinal Study on Continuity in Development. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50(8), 1616–1633. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-020-01370-3
B?rni, G., & Ery?lmaz, A. (2024). Conceptual and Theoretical Review of Self-Worth. Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 16(2), 327–346. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1336880
Bogaerts, A., Claes, L., Raymaekers, K., Buelens, T., Bastiaens, T., & Luyckx, K. (2023). Trajectories of adaptive and disturbed identity dimensions in adolescence: developmental associations with self-esteem, resilience, symptoms of depression, and borderline personality disorder features. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1125812
Branje, S., Moor, E. L. de, Spitzer, J., & Becht, A. (2021). Dynamics of Identity Development in Adolescence: A Decade in Review [Review of Dynamics of Identity Development in Adolescence: A Decade in Review]. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 31(4), 908–927. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12678
Ery?lmaz, A., Kara, A., & Uzun, A. E. (2024). The mediating role of positive body image between friendship qualities, well-being strategies and identity development among adolescents. Current Psychology, 43(28), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-06092-4
Fachrunisa, R. A., & Riyono, B. (2023). Human Nature in Self-Identity Construct: A Meta-ethnography Study. Buletin Psikologi, 31(1), 1–1. https://doi.org/10.22146/buletinpsikologi.75877
Götzl, C., Hiller, S., Rauschenberg, C., Schick, A., Fechtelpeter, J., Abaigar, U. F., Koppe, G., Durstewitz, D., Reininghaus, U., & Krumm, S. (2022). Artificial intelligence-informed mobile mental health apps for young people: a mixed-methods approach on users’ and stakeholders’ perspectives. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-022-00522-6
Hafizah, N., Sulistyarini, RR. I., & Azkiya, W. N. (2025). Management of psychological distress in adolescents through cognitive-behavioral group therapy. Jurnal Psikologi Terapan Dan Pendidikan, 7(2), 131–146. https://doi.org/10.26555/jptp.v7i2.30869
Hällgren, C., & Björk, Å. (2022). Young people’s identities in digital worlds. International Journal of Information and Learning Technology, 40(1), 49–61. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijilt-06-2022-0135
Iwasa, Y., Hihara, S., Ishizaki, K., Yasui, G., Hiro, M., & Sugimura, K. (2023). Identity development and online and offline prosocial behaviors among early and middle adolescents. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1148347
Kara?, D., & Cieciuch, J. (2023). Identity statuses across various life domains and well-being in emerging adults. Polish Psychological Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.24425/ppb.2019.130694
Lise, F. D., Luyckx, K., & Crocetti, E. (2023). Identity Matters for Well-Being: The Longitudinal Associations Between Identity Processes and Well-Being in Adolescents with Different Cultural Backgrounds. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 53(4), 910–926. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/S10964-023-01901-8
Majeed, L. (2026). Identity Crisis Among Teenagers [European Organization for Nuclear Research]. In Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18985077
Mannerström, R., Haarala-Muhonen, A., Parpala, A., Hailikari, T., & Salmela?Aro, K. (2023). Identity profiles, motivations for attending university and study-related burnout: differences between Finnish students in professional and non-professional fields. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 39(2), 651–669. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-023-00706-4
Meeus, W. (2018). The Identity Status Continuum Revisited. European Psychologist, 23(4), 289–299. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000339
Middaugh, E. (2019). Media and Adolescent Identity Development. In The International Encyclopedia of Media Literacy (pp. 1–7). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118978238.ieml0004
Mouchrek, N., & Benson, M. (2023). The theory of integrated empowerment in the transition to adulthood: concepts and measures. Frontiers in Sociology, 8. Https://Doi.Org/10.3389/Fsoc.2023.893898
Muller, T., & Stroud, L. (2017). Identity Formation And Its Role In Optimal Human Development: A Psychobiographical Study Of Artist Jackson Pollock. New Voices In Psychology, 10(1), 3–15. Https://Doi.Org/10.25159/1812-6371/3410
Murad, H. R. (2024). Investigating The Impact of Digital Technology on Adolescent Identity Formation on Selected Students in SAIS: A Psychological Approach. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT), 2726–2736. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/ijisrt24apr1823
Saro, N., Syaiful Anwar, N. S., Zainudin, N. F., [Surname], S., Wan Abd Rahim, W. N. S., & Muhiddin, N. I.A Holistic Framework for Young Adults in Life Crises: The Role of Social Media and Spiritual Well-Being. (2025). International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 14(4), 2097-2105.https://ijarped.com/index.php/journal/article/view/4012
Rindorindo, A., & Purwanti, M. (2025). Gambaran Status Identitas Remaja di Persekutuan Remaja Gereja “F.” MANASA, 14(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.25170/manasa.v14i1.6169
Ruiz, W. D. G., & Yabut, H. J. (2024). Autonomy and identity: the role of two developmental tasks on adolescent’s wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1309690
Sapmaz, F. (2023). Relationships beetween Cognitive Distortions and Adolescent Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience and Moderating Role of Gender. International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies, 10(1), 83–97. https://doi.org/10.52380/ijpes.2023.10.1.866
Sica, L. S., & Sestito, L. A. (2021). Personal skills for optimal identity development: A person-centered approach in Italian late-adolescents. Journal for Person-Oriented Research, 7(1), 36–51. https://doi.org/10.17505/jpor.2021.23450
Sorgente, A., Iannello, N. M., Musso, P., Inguglia, C., Lanz, M., Antonietti, A., & Villani, D. (2021). The Utrecht-Management of Identity Commitments Scale (U-MICS). European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 38(3), 176–186. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000665
Turakulova, N. (2026). ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY: KEY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS. Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18871603
Vankerckhoven, L., Raemen, L., Claes, L., Eggermont, S., Palmeroni, N., & Luyckx, K. (2022). Identity Formation, Body Image, and Body-Related Symptoms: Developmental Trajectories and Associations Throughout Adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52(3), 651–669. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-022-01717-y
Wendling, E., & Sagas, M. (2021). Is There a Reformation Into Identity Achievement for Life After Elite Sport? A Journey of Identity Growth Paradox During Liminal Rites and Identity Moratorium [Review of Is There a Reformation Into Identity Achievement for Life After Elite Sport? A Journey of Identity Growth Paradox During Liminal Rites and Identity Moratorium]. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. Frontiers Media. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.644839
Javaid, Z. K., Khan, K., Kamran, M., & Aslam, S. (2024). Influence of mindfulness on environmental satisfaction among young adults: mediating role of environmental identity. Environment and Social Psychology, 9(9), 2937.
Muhiddin, N., Rahim, W. N. S. W. A., Saro, N., Anwar, N. S. adah S., & Zainudin, N. F. (2026). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Adolescent Identity Development: Navigating Life Crises and Self-Exploration. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 16(7), 253-263.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode