Longitudinal Examination of Identity Statuses, Psychological Well-Being, and Career Decision-Making in Nigerian University Students: A Three-Year Panel Study

Longitudinal investigations of identity development in Nigerian university students offer critical insight into the developmental trajectories that predict psychological well-being and career decision-making quality, yet such studies are conspicuously absent from the literature. This study longitudinally examined identity statuses, psychological well-being, and career decision-making across three years among Nigerian university students from the South West and South East zones. A panel study design was used, recruiting 450 first-year undergraduates from University of Lagos and University of Uyo in Year 1, with follow-up measurements at the end of Years 2 and 3. The Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (EOMEIS-2), the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being (RPWB), and the Career Decision-Making Scale were administered at each wave. Latent transition analysis and growth curve modelling were used. Findings revealed that the majority of students progressed from diffusion toward moratorium and achievement statuses across the three years. Identity achievement was strongly associated with psychological well-being and high-quality career decision-making. A significant subset remained in diffusion through Year 3, demonstrating elevated well-being deficits. Geographical and gender differences in identity trajectory patterns were observed. The study generates an original longitudinal account of identity-career-well-being relationships in Nigerian higher education, extending Marcia's identity framework cross-culturally. Keywords: identity statuses, psychological well-being, career decision-making, longitudinal study, Nigerian undergraduates.