Table 1 Theory-based suggestion for a meaningful substructure of the construct “Identity Integration vs. Identity Diffusion” and its operationalization into AIDA scales, subscales, and facets

Scale 1:

Scale 2:

Psychosocial functioning

Identity-Continuity vs. Discontinuity

Identity-Coherence vs. Incoherence

Ego-Stability, intuitive-emotional “I” (“Changing while staying the same”)

Ego-Strength, defined “ME” (“non-fragmented self with clear boundaries”)

Sub 1.1: Stability in attributes / goals vs. lack of perspective

Sub 2.1: Consistent self image vs. contradictions

Self-related intrapersonal “Me and I”

F1: capacity to invest / stabilizing commitment to interests, talents, perspectives, life goals

F1: same attributes and behaviors with different friends or situations, consistent appearance

F2: stable inner time-line, historical-biographical self, subjective self-sameness, sense of continuity

F2: no extreme subjective contradictions / diversity of self-pictures, coherent self-concept

F3: stabilizing moral guidelines and inner rules

F3: awareness of a defined core and inner substance

Sub 1.2: Stability in relations / roles vs. lack of affilitation

Sub 2.2: Autonomy / ego-strength vs. over-identification, suggestibility

Social-related interpersonal “Me and You”

F1: capacity to invest / stabilizing commitment to lasting relationships

F1: assertiveness, ego-strength, no over-identification or over-matching

F2: positive identification with stabilizing roles (ethnic - cultural - family self)

F2: independent intrinsic self-worth, no suggestibility

F3: positive body-self

F3: autonomous self (affect) regulation

Sub 1.3: Positive emotional self reflection vs. distrust in stability of emotions

Sub 2.3: positive cognitve self reflection vs. superficial, diffuse representations

Mental representations accessability and complexity concerning own and others’ emotions / motives

F1: understanding own feelings,good emotional accessibility

F1: understanding motives and behavior, good cognitive accessibility

F2: understanding others´ feelings, trust in stability of others’ feelings

F2: differentiated and coherent mental representations