Open this publication in new window or tab >>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
2024-12-122024-12-122025-10-16Bibliographically approved