Exploring the Role of Deviance on Self-Concept Clarity Across the Lifespan

The study explores the research question of the role of deviance from the social clock explaining the curvilinear relationship between self-concept clarity and subjective well-being across the lifespan. The study recruited 601 participants through an online survey platform collecting data on subjective well-being, self-concept clarity, completion of life markers, perceived deviance and inflexibility of the social clock, and demographic information. Some association between perceived deviance from the social clock, perceived inflexibility of the social clock, satisfaction with life, and self-concept clarity was found. Results partially supported the hypothesis that perceived deviance and inflexibility of the social clock would predict satisfaction with life and self-concept clarity in the negative direction. However, the study failed to replicate a curvilinear relationship between self-concept clarity and subjective well-being across age groups. Notably, this research examined the influence of the social clock on self-concept clarity and subjective well-being, although more studies in this field are needed to explore the underlying mechanism of the relationship for a better understanding of ways to elevate people's subjective well-being.