New researches in Islamic humanities studies

New researches in Islamic humanities studies

The Effect of Cultural Capital on Identity Crisis: The Mediating Role of the Generation Gap

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
fareyde amini 1
azarmidokht rezaei 2
maryam zatnaghash 2
maryam kouroshnia 2
1 PhD student in Educational Psychology, Marvdasht Branch, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University of Marvdasht, Iran
2 Department of Psychology, Marv. C., Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran
10.22034/api.2026.2066175.1389
Abstract
Objective: Adolescents are considered one of the influential groups in society, and one of the most significant challenges they face is identity crisis. The present study aims to examine the relationship between cultural capital and identity crisis, with emphasis on the mediating role of the generational gap among students of Shiraz University. Additionally, a secondary objective of this research is to explain how cultural factors and intergenerational relationships interact in shaping the identity of young people.
Method: In terms of purpose, this study is applied, and regarding the method of data collection, it follows a descriptive correlational design. The statistical population consisted of 349 students from Shiraz University who were selected through a multistage cluster random sampling method. The research instruments included the Cultural Capital Questionnaire by Sahami (2008), the Generational Differences Questionnaire by Nabavi (2003), and the Identity Crisis Questionnaire by Ahmadi (1997). The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and regression analysis.
Results: The results indicated that there is a significant relationship between cultural capital and identity crisis. The generational gap also showed a positive and significant relationship with identity crisis. Furthermore, cultural capital, through the mediating role of the generational gap, had a negative and significant effect on identity crisis. In addition, the findings revealed that the severity of identity crisis is considerably higher among individuals with lower levels of cultural capital and those who experience a greater generational gap.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, increasing cultural capital and reducing the generational gap can lead to a decrease in identity crisis and play a key role in the formation of a stable identity. Overall, the results suggest that strengthening intergenerational interactions and improving young people’s access to cultural resources can serve as effective strategies for reducing identity crisis.
Keywords
Cultural Capital
Identity Crisis
Generation Gap
Adolescents
Subjects
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New researches in Islamic humanities studies
Volume 5, Issue 9
April 2026
Pages 1-13