Abstract

In this study in order to seethe diversity of the mid-life crises along the line of developmental path, the level of mid-life crisis and the level of openness were analyzed according to the retrospective identity status in adolescence. The respondents were 1391 mid-age adults(35-60, male ; 653, female ; 738). The results are as follows: Along the line of life-path, mid-life crises are more diverse. Those who had been in 'identity moratorium' or 'identity diffuse' in their adolescence experience more serious crisis compared with those who had been in the "identity achievement' or 'foreclosed'. In the openness dimension, however, the identity achievement or moratorium group has higher points than the foreclosed or diffused group. These results suggest that mid-life crisis is a function of openness and relationships in social systems.