Abstract

The negative relationship between consolidated identity and depressive symptoms has been repeatedly observed in previous studies. This study aimed to examine the factors that may explain this link by focusing on how individuals engage with their future. Specifically, it was hypothesized that higher levels of consolidated identity would be associated with greater agency reflected in future thinking, which would, in turn, predict lower hopelessness and subsequently lower levels of depressive symptoms. Given that career preparation and hopelessness are known to be key predictors of depressive symptoms among college students, who are regarded as representative of emerging adulthood, this study focused on a college student sample. A total of 141 students enrolled in a four-year university in South Korea participated in an online survey. Participants completed measures of consolidated identity, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms, and wrote a narrative describing their envisioned future and the steps they were currently taking to prepare for it. The narratives were later rated by independent coders based on the degree of agency reflected in the future thinking. The results supported the hypothesis, revealing a significant serial mediation effect of greater future-thinking agency and lower hopelessness in the negative association between consolidated identity and depressive symptoms. These findings are consistent with previous research and suggest that consolidated identity may not only facilitate the resolution of key developmental tasks among college students (i.e., career preparation) but also serve as a protective factor for their mental health.