The authors conducted an exploratory study on the multifaceted aspects of selfconsciousness in late adolescent youth and investigated correlations between selfconsciousness and self-denial in the process of identity formation. 460 university students (121 men and 339 women), participated in the investigation. Public and private self-consciousness, and private self-consciousness showed positive effect on all three identity indexes, whereas public self-consciousness displayed negative effect on current commitment by multiple regression analysis. Participants were classified into three groups through cluster analysis that identified them as possessing high, midlevel, and low self-consciousness. A chi-square test was conducted on each cluster and identity status. More, one-factor ANOVA was performed using self-denial as a dependent variable. The results indicated : (1) Students with high self-consciousness demonstrated elevated levels of self-denial. However, their sense of identity showed adequate formation and maturity. (2) Students with low self-consciousness exhibited lesser levels of self-denial, but their identity formation was delayed. Students with high self-denial might seem to be maladaptive. Nonetheless, when this abnegation is combined with greater than normal self-consciousness and the consciousness of conflicts and worries about the future, they might strongly desire to form an identity. On the other hand, students with low self-consciousness are highly satisfied with themselves, and their consequent avoidance of serious self-exploration might make them lose future perspective and orientation.

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