Abstract

The research starts by definition of the multidimensional construct of social identity and analyzes the professional identity's construction processes through validation of a four dimensions version of the Identity Status Questionnaire (ISQ-4dr). ISQ-4dr operationalizes an extension of the Marcia's identity status paradigm. The study design was cross-sectional and was conducting during the second semester of the first year of university courses. Participants were 154 psychology's students and 150 Veterinary Medicine's students that filled the ISQ-4dr, consisting of 16 items that synthesize 4 dimensions (Affirmation, Reconsideration of the Commitment, Practices and Exploring in depth) and some items concerning the reason for dropping out his/her studies, the academic achievement and the commitment to study. Consistent with the hypotheses, the results indicated a four factors structure. The four factors were relatively independents each other's, reliable, and congruent across psychology and veterinarian students. The concurrent validity confirmed the validity of the four subscales highlighting the different functions that Practice and Exploration in depth can have between students attending different university courses.