The teenage years aren’t easy. Aside from everything going on at school, home and with your body, you’re in the middle of establishing your identity. This is the part of life where you’re searching for answers to the question “Who am I, really?”
By the time you’re an adult, you should have it all figured out, right? (Spoiler alert: No one has it all figured out.) Many adults experience role confusion throughout their lifetime. When they do, it’s often referred to as an identity crisis or a midlife crisis. In this article, we’ll discuss what the term “role confusion” means, how it affects your mental health and some of the signs you may be experiencing it.
Identity vs. role confusion
Role confusion is a concept that psychoanalyst and psychologist Erik Erikson linked to a core part of human development. Erikson’s developmental stages span infancy to older adulthood and include specific conflicts for different age ranges. Identity vs. role confusion is a conflict attributed to the adolescent experience (ages 12 to 18).
It basically explains that during those formative years, we’re figuring out who we are and our place in the world. However, adults can struggle with identity loss and role confusion, too.
Why role confusion happens in adulthood
Your identity is your sense of who you are as a person, and it helps define your role in society. Erikson believed that our identities are formed by exploring different roles and social interactions. As an adult, it’s perfectly natural to evolve in the same way. Identity crises can happen during sudden life changes and societal events. During these times, you may be exploring what kind of person you are, who you want to be and what role you need to play.
For instance, the following events can trigger an identity crisis:
- Starting a new relationship
- Getting a divorce or ending a partnership
- Giving birth to or adopting a child
- Losing a loved one
- Starting a new job
- Leaving an old job or entering retirement
- Moving to a new city
- Experiencing a significant health issue
- Returning to civilian life after being in the military
Signs you’re experiencing role confusion
Role confusion typically coincides with other uncertainty. In the middle of an identity crisis, you might start to rethink several aspects of your life and feel unsure about how to move forward. For instance, you might be asking yourself questions like:
- Am I a good person?
- Do I still love my career?
- What’s my true purpose in life?
- What are my values and spiritual beliefs?
- What kind of person do I want to be for my [partner, child, team, etc.]?
Essentially, you’re questioning your basic understanding of who you are as a person and in relation to others. And in turn, you might start to make a few changes, adapting to new values or a different sense of self. Other signs you’re experiencing role confusion include:
- Trouble answering basic questions about yourself
- Distrust in your ability to make good decisions
- Feeling stressed about life in general
A significant shift can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. For some people, it leaves them more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and other mental health disorders.
How to cope with an identity crisis
If you know you’re about to go through a major transition down the road, it can help to plan ahead so that you have what you need to cope. However, it’s not always foreseeable. And as sudden as identity crises (or midlife crises) can be, they may take a little time to resolve. If you notice the telltale signs of role confusion starting to creep in, here are some things you can do to ease this transition:
- Reexamine your beliefs and values — Take some time to figure out what’s important to you.
- Assess your goals — Think about what you want to accomplish or the types of things that bring fulfillment and joy to your life.
- Evaluate your boundaries — While you’re in transition, it can help to set some healthy boundaries with others so that you can take good care of yourself.
- Give yourself time — Instead of jumping into a whole new identity, take a little time to figure out if it’s what you really want.
- Take it easy — In difficult times, a little self-compassion can be beneficial to your mental and emotional well-being.
Above all, be sure you have a solid support system to help you through. Leaning on family and friends — particularly those who’ve been through it — can help. They can provide some insights into their own experiences with role confusion and offer words of encouragement. Also, you can enlist the help of a professional for additional support, whether it’s a career counselor or mental health specialist.
Let us help you find your footing on uncertain ground. At Lightfully, our licensed clinical experts understand how a loss of identity can affect your well-being, and we support clients at any stage of their mental health journey. The framework of everything we do consists of evidence-based, whole-person-centered care, providing personalized support to each client.
You deserve a brighter version of you. When you’re ready to take the first step, our Admissions Concierge Team is ready to help you begin your journey toward the fullest, brightest version of you.
