THE PSYCHOSOCIAL INVENTORY OF EGO STRENGTHS - DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A NEW ERIKSONIAN MEASURE

An underexamined component of Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory is th e concept of ego strengths The eight ego strengths are present through out the life span, but each have their ascendance in conjunction with successful psychosocial stage resolutions. Upon careful analysis of Er ikson's writings, the Psychosocial Inventory of Ego Strengths (PIES) w as developed to assess this component of psychosocial theory, The meas ure was scrutinized by several Eriksonian scholars for its face and co ntent validity. Then, two studies were conducted among college samples in the United States and Canada. Evidence for internal consistency wa s shown for the eight ego strengths as well as on overall score. Conve rgent validity was shown between the PIES and assessments of identity achievement, self-esteem, purpose in life: internal locus of control, and sex roles. Discriminant validity was observed in negative correlat ions between the ego strengths and hopelessness, identity diffusion, i dentity moratorium, and personal distress. Suggestions for future rese arch utilizing this measure are given.