The author contrasts Erikson's and Kernberg's differing views about the long-term implications of "identity diffusion" in late adolescence, and then offers some long-term research data of her own in an effort to determine which view may be correct. Erikson has described identity diffusion in late adolescence as a prolonged phase of instability, a passing crisis on the road to adulthood. Kernberg believes the identity diffusion represents a pathological phenomenon, most likely a manifestation of borderline personality organization. The author studied eight women with problems of identity diffusion in college and then at twelve-year follow-up. The cases are described. On the basis of her findings, Josselson concludes that "identity diffusion in college is neither a unitary syndrome nor predictive of early adult functioning in any linear way."