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“Being Stuck between Two Worlds”: Identity Configurations of Occupational and Family Identities
University of Gothenburg, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0617-3813
University of Gothenburg, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4905-6078
University of Minnesota, USA.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4759-3555
2019 (English)In: Identity. An International Journal of Theory and Research, ISSN 1528-3488, E-ISSN 1532-706X, Vol. 19, no 4, p. 330-346Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Most research on identity has focused on either identity processes or identity content, neglecting how individuals structure their identities. We investigated how individuals negotiated their sometimes conflicting multiple identifications of work and family into different types of workable identity configurations. We also examined differences across configurations in the gender distribution, degree of conflict, and life satisfaction. Through a mixed methods approach, a community sample of 124 young Swedish adults (50% women, Mage 33.29 years) were interviewed about work and family priorities and completed a rating scale measure of life satisfaction. The qualitative analyses showed six different types of identity configurations, the most common being Family first, followed by Everything is important, Struggling to prioritize, Now family comes first, Inability to prioritize, and Work first. The quantitative analyses showed few gender differences across configurations, but there were differences in conflict and life satisfaction between configurations. The findings from this study reflect the complex and dynamic ways identity is structured within a cultural context.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2019. Vol. 19, no 4, p. 330-346
Keywords [en]
Identity configuration, work, family, conflict, satisfaction with life
National Category
Applied Psychology
Research subject
Psychology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-102465DOI: 10.1080/15283488.2019.1681997OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kau-102465DiVA, id: diva2:1920687
Available from: 2024-12-12 Created: 2024-12-12 Last updated: 2025-10-16Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Identity: Understanding aspects of process, content, and structure in context
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Identity: Understanding aspects of process, content, and structure in context
2019 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The overall aim of this thesis was to broaden our knowledge of identity byusing an integrated theoretical approach to understanding multidimensionalaspects of identity process, content, and structure. Specifically, in Study I, theaim was to investigate identity processes among young adults in Sweden bystudying identity status (i.e., varying degrees of exploration and commitmentto identity-defining issues) globally and across domains (i.e., occupation,romantic relationships, parenthood, and work/family priorities). In addition,differences in social comparison between identity statuses were investigated.The results indicated that most of the 124 participants (50% women, Mage 33.29years) had made identity-defining commitments, and gender differences inidentity status were found in the occupational and parenthood domains. Inaddition, differences in social comparison orientation were found only in theparenthood domain, where those actively exploring without makingcommitments scored higher in social comparison than did those who had notexplored this domain. The aim of Study II was to investigate identity contentby studying what types of ethnicity-related experiences were prevalent amongyoung people in Sweden with and without an immigrant background (i.e., atleast one parent born outside Sweden). Using a narrative approach, 95participants (87% women, 66% with an immigrant background, Mage = 19.62)shared their ethnicity-related experiences. Through thematic analysis, wefound six themes for which most of the related narratives were about strugglingto adapt and fit in, regardless of age, ethnicity, or immigrant status. In StudyIII, the aim was to investigate identity structure by studying how young adultsin Sweden negotiated their sometimes conflicting multiple identifications ofoccupation and family into different types of identity configurations. Sixdifferent types of identity configurations were found among the participants(the same sample as in Study I) varying conceptually on two dimensions: 1)choosing or not choosing one identification over another and 2) level ofcertainty, ambivalence, or discrepancy in prioritizing between work andfamily. Few gender differences were found across the identity configurations.The quantitative analyses indicated differences in the degree of internalconflict and life satisfaction between different identity configurations. In sum,this thesis emphasizes the complexity of identity development and theimportance of cultural context in obtaining a multidimensional understandingof aspects related to the process, content, and structure that constitute identity.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
University of Gothenburg, 2019. p. 89
Keywords
identity development, identity process, identity content, identity structure, gender, ethnicity, cultural context
National Category
Psychology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-102470 (URN)978-91-7833-624-1 (ISBN)978-91-7833-625-8 (ISBN)
Public defence
2019-11-08, 11:23 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2024-12-12 Created: 2024-12-12 Last updated: 2025-10-16Bibliographically approved

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Gyberg, Fanny

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