Spanish College Student Identity and Adjustment Across Two Cohorts (2015 and 2020)

2,819 college students (38% men, 62% women) surveyed across two cohorts in 2015 (n=1,301) and 2020 (n=1,518). The dataset, authored by Paula Domínguez-Alarcón and shared via figshare, compares identity development and psychological adjustment between these generational groups. It highlights differences in commitment, exploration, wellbeing, and distress, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Use Cases

• Compare identity commitment levels between generational cohorts based on the described commitment making and identification with commitment dimensions.
• Analyze the relationship between ruminative exploration and psychological distress as reported for the 2020 cohort.
• Investigate gender differences in the association between identity dimensions and psychological adjustment highlighted in the findings.
• Study the impact of socio-historical context (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic) on wellbeing and distress levels in emerging adults.

Strengths

• Total sample size of 2,819 participants provides a substantial basis for analysis.
• Direct comparison between two distinct time points (2015 and 2020) allows for generational analysis.
• Includes detailed demographic breakdowns by cohort (e.g., 40.9% men in Ch1, 35.6% men in Ch2) and average ages with standard deviations.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is contained in a 23.0 KB DOCX file, suggesting limited raw data scope and potential formatting for analysis.

Provenance

Source

Paula Domínguez-Alarcón via figshare

Collection Method

Survey of college students.

Time Range

2015 and 2020

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-28 06:18:54; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Spain (implied by 'Spanish college emerging adults')