Internalizing symptoms, including depression and anxiety, commonly increase during adolescence and emerging adulthood and are associated with functional impairment and increased risk for later psychopathology. Although identity development and social relationships are considered key developmental factors during this period, less is known about how identity negotiation processes relate to internalizing symptoms and whether these associations depend on perceived social support. 

The present study addressed this gap by examining how identity negotiation processes and perceived social support are jointly associated with internalizing symptoms in a community sample of adolescents and emerging adults (N = 589; M age = 21.05). Identity negotiation processes were assessed using the Identity Negotiation Experiences and Strategies Scale (INES), a recently developed instrument capturing identity negotiation strain and maladaptive strategies used to manage this strain. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were examined as distinct outcomes, and perceived social support was tested as a potential moderator of these associations. 

Results showed that higher strain and maladaptive strategies were associated with higher levels of both depressive and anxiety symptoms. Perceived social support was negatively associated with internalizing symptoms but did not moderate these associations. These findings indicate that identity negotiation processes and perceived social support function as independent correlates of internalizing symptoms rather than interacting influences. Overall, the study extends identity development research by highlighting the relevance of identity negotiation processes, as captured by the INES, for both depressive and anxiety symptoms and underscoring their distinct role from perceived social support in internalizing symptoms during adolescence and emerging adulthood.