Abstract

Background and Aim: War-related tensions and media coverage can contribute to rumination about war and heightened emotional vulnerability among adolescents. The organization of identity and dominant identity processing styles may play either a protective or risk-enhancing role in this context. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between identity styles and war-related thought rumination in 13–15-year-old adolescent girls in Ardakan. Method: This study employed a descriptive–correlational design. The statistical population comprised all 13–15-year-old adolescent girls residing in Ardakan and enrolled in lower secondary school, from whom 102 participants were selected through convenience sampling via the Eitaa social media platform. The research instruments included the Berzonsky Identity Style Inventory (ISI-3) assessing informational, normative, diffuse–avoidant styles and identity commitment, and the War-Related Thought Rumination Scale developed by Shomali and Barkhordari (2026/1405). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 and Pearson correlation coefficients at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The findings indicated a significant negative relationship between informational identity style and war-related thought rumination (p < 0.05), as well as between normative identity style and rumination (p < 0.05). In contrast, diffuse–avoidant identity style showed a significant positive relationship with war-related thought rumination (p < 0.05). Moreover, identity commitment was significantly and negatively associated with war-related thought rumination (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that informational and normative identity styles, along with stronger identity commitment, play a protective role against war-related thought rumination in adolescents, whereas a diffuse–avoidant identity style constitutes a psychological risk factor. Accordingly, it is recommended that school- and family-based interventions focus on strengthening the informational style, fostering identity commitment, and promoting adaptive value frameworks, alongside training in cognitive rumination management skills, in order to enhance adolescents’ resilience when facing war-related threats and news.