Investigating differences in LGBTQIA+ students’ identity gaps during the semester and academic breaks

The purpose of the present study was to understand the identity negotiation of Christians who practice polyamory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eighteen polyamorous Christians. The data was then qualitatively analyzed using the communication theory of identity. The findings indicated that identity gaps in the personal, relational, and communal frames were produced by mononormative discourses of Christian identity. Participants navigated these identity gaps by redefining the boundaries of Christian identity and utilizing various strategies to maintain, strengthen, and assert these redefined boundaries. This study contributes to critical interpersonal and family communication research by applying CTI to polyamorous Christians, supporting and extending research on identity gap navigation, and focusing on processes of hegemony and resistance in identity gap navigation.

Grandparents and grandchildren report their relationships with one another are meaningful in many respects, including having the opportunities to exchange affection, receive support, and learn new things from one another. Since 2000, theoretically grounded communication research on grandparent–grandchild (GP–GC) relationships has notably increased. This research has been largely centered in three theoretical domains: research using affection exchange theory (AET), communication accommodation theory (CAT), and communication theory of identity (CTI). AET is a bioevolutionary theory that holds that giving and receiving affectionate communication help facilitate viability and fertility. Consistent with this theory, grandparents have reported better mental health when they express more affectionate communication for their grandchildren, and grandchildren have reported better mental health when they receive more affectionate communication from their grandparents. Researchers can advance the study of GP–GC affectionate communication in the future by examining if affectionate communication is indirectly associated with health outcomes via certain indices of relational solidarity (e.g., shared family identity, relational closeness, perceived availability of social support). CAT is an intergroup and interpersonal communication theory that describes the adjustments speakers make during interaction, as well as the ramifications of those adjustments for receivers. Receivers might interpret a speaker as overaccommodating them (i.e., going too far in the adjustment necessary for appropriate interaction, such as patronizing talk) or underaccommodating them (i.e., not going far enough in the adjustment necessary for appropriate interaction, such as engaging in painful self-disclosures). When grandchildren receive more overaccommodation and underaccommodation from their grandparents, they report more negative prejudicial attitudes toward older adults as a whole. Future researchers should examine how perceptions of accommodation and nonaccommodation in GP–GC relationships are associated with other types of prejudice, such as religious prejudice. Finally, the CTI posits that people hold four frames of identity: personal identity (how people internally view themselves), enacted identity (how people behave or perform their identity), relational identity (how people perceive that their relational partners view them and how people define themselves as in relationships with others), and communal identity (how large social collectives are broadly defined, such as in the mass media). These identity frames can contradict one another, creating identity gaps. Both grandchildren’s and grandparents’ identity gaps (personal-relational and personal-enacted identity gaps) have been indirectly associated with lower intentions on the part of grandchildren to provide care for their grandparents via grandchildren’s reduced communication satisfaction. Future researchers would be well served to examine identity gaps between three or four frames of identity. In sum, many insights have been generated by GP–GC communication research informed by these three theories, and there are numerous ways to continue these lines of research in the future.

Identity gaps are a new theoretical construct that provide a framework for integrating communication into the study of identity and understanding the relationship between identity and health outcomes, such as depression. Derived from the communication theory of identity, identity gaps emerge when elements of identity are inconsistent with each other. This article focuses on 2 types of identity gaps, personal–enacted and personal–relational, examining their relationships with situational variables and depression. A questionnaire was administered to a community sample of 377 Korean immigrants to test a hypothesized path model predicting that 3 situational variables (intercultural communication competence, middleperson status, and perception of racial hierarchy) would influence the identity gaps that, in turn, influence Korean immigrants' levels of depression. Results showed that all 3 situational variables predicted Korean immigrants' personal–relational identity gaps, whereas only intercultural communication competence predicted their personal–enacted identity gaps. Both types of identity gaps predicted the level of depression. The personal–relational identity gap significantly mediated the effects of all 3 situational variables on levels of depression. However, the personal–enacted identity gap mediated only the effects of intercultural communication competence on the levels of depression.

The communication theory of identity (CTI) conceptualizes communication as identity. The CTI asserts that identity exists in four interconnected frames: the personal, enacted, relational and communal. The personal–enacted identity gap was first operationalized and tested by Eura Jung and Michael Hecht. Their goals were to conceptually define, operationalize, and test personal–enacted and personal–relational identity gaps to add analytic potential to CTI by further conceptualizing the notion of interpenetration of layers. They hypothesized that the two identity gaps would be distinct constructs, and related to communication outcomes since identity gaps are a communicative phenomenon. The personal–enacted identity gap has also been found to mediate the effect of intercultural communication competence on the level of depression for Korean immigrants and had stronger effects than the personal–relational identity gaps and to mediate the effect of acculturation and discrimination on depression for international students.

This study explores how international students use social network sites (SNS) to manage identity gaps during cultural adjustment. Our work is framed by the communication theory of identity and SNS affordances approaches. We conducted ten focus group interviews, each lasting 60–90 minutes, with 3–10 undergraduate and graduate international students from a Southwestern University in the U.S. (N = 41). Using a priori and open coding, we revealed that personal-relational, personal-enacted, and personal-communal identity gaps were most common among international students. SNS affordances (visibility, association, editability, and persistence) mitigate but also exacerbate these gaps. Visibility enabled students to present their authentic identity, dispel misconceptions, and establish common ground with Americans, thus reducing personal-relational and personal-communal identity gaps. Association fostered connections with American counterparts, reducing personal-communal identity gaps. Editability allowed non-native English speakers to express themselves accurately, addressing personal-enacted identity gaps. Persistence allowed a consistent and genuine presentation of identity, decreasing personal-enacted and personal-relational identity gaps. However, visibility and association also amplified identity gaps. This study highlights the dual role of SNS affordances in identity management, offering valuable insights into international students’ cultural adjustment strategies.

Doubt that a family member’s health issues are real, severe, or even possible entwines some of the most challenging aspects of medical, personal, and social uncertainty. Although several studies have examined doubt, this investigation focuses on how doubt evolves and foregrounds the identity implications of uncertainty. Guided by Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), the purpose of this study was to explore the identity gaps people experience as they navigate evolving doubt about a family member’s health and how they manage those identity gaps. We interviewed 33 individuals in the U.S. about a family member’s health issues that they doubted but began to believe. Our analysis uncovered three identity gaps among personal, relational, and enacted layers of identity: personal-enacted, relational-enacted, and personal-relational-enacted identity gaps. Participants managed identity gaps in two primary ways: (a) closing gaps by altering personal, relational, or enacted layers of their own identity; and (b) maintaining identity gaps by putting the locus of responsibility for identity change within their family member’s relational identities. This study offers theoretical implications for CTI as well as practical implications for individuals navigating doubt and evolving illness uncertainty in their family relationships.

Children of immigrant families are placed at high risk of acculturation stress due to their role serving as a cultural broker for their family members. Communication theory of identity (CTI) explains that the discrepancies between one’s personal, enacted, relational, and communal layers of identity lead to negative health outcomes. Guided by CTI, the present study investigated indirect effects of acculturation stress on Mexican-heritage adolescents’ depressive symptoms and substance use behaviors via identity gaps. Using the cross-sectional survey data (N = 210), path analysis revealed direct effects of acculturation stress on the personal-enacted identity gap and on the personal-relational identity gap. Indirect effects of acculturation stress on depressive symptoms via the personal-relational identity gap were also detected.

The Communication Theory of Identity identifies four frames of identity and their interpenetration. This article articulates identity gaps as a way to study interpenetration and selected two of the gaps, between personal and relational frames and between personal and enacted identities, for the study. A survey was administered and, as hypothesized, significant negative correlations were observed between the identity gaps and three communication outcomes. Possible causal directions were suggested by post hoc analyses. The results support the theory and suggest the utility of identity gaps as a means for understanding the role of identity in social relationships.

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate relational turbulence processes and test Relational Turbulence Theory’s (RTT) first five propositions in a sample of 528 committed consensually non-monogamous (CNM) partners as they are experiencing the transition of their committed partner adding a new sexual or romantic partner other than themselves. CNM relationships are those in which at least one partner has multiple sexual and/or romantic relationships with the consent of all parties involved. Generally, the first five propositions of RTT were supported. Specifically, self uncertainty and partner uncertainty positively predicted relationship uncertainty, which in turn predicted biased cognitive appraisals, and was also positively predicted by self uncertainty. Partner interference positively predicted intensified emotions but partner facilitation failed to predict intensified emotions. Biased cognitive appraisals negatively predicted communication engagement and valence and was linked to intensified emotions, but intensified emotions failed to predict communication engagement and valence. Finally, biased cognitive appraisals and intensified emotions positively predicted perceptions of relational turbulence, but communication engagement and valence failed to predict perceptions of relational turbulence. This dissertation also found evidence that relationship parameters of uncertainty and partner interdependence may also be predictive of intensified emotions and biased cognitive appraisals, respectively. Additionally, perceptions of relational turbulence also positively predicted anticipated CNM stigma, personal-relational identity gaps, and personal-enacted identity gaps. This dissertation also analyzed participants open-ended responses for evidence of communal identity gaps participants had with the LGBTQIA+ community. Evidence of communal-personal, communal-enacted, communal-relational, and communal-communal identity gaps with their identities as members of the LGBTQIA+ community were also found among a smaller portion of the participants’ responses. Implications for RTT and the Communication Theory of Identity as well as practical implications for individuals in or supportive of CNM relationships are also discussed.

Within the United States, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience intimate partner violence (IPV): psychological aggression, sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking from an intimate partner. Although some studies highlight the complexity of post-IPV recovery, the role of communication in post-IPV recovery remains underexplored. This study employs Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) to analyze in-depth interviews with post-IPV adults. Analysis reveals how individuals negotiate post-IPV identity gaps between the personal-personal and personal-relational layers of identity. The forwarded concept of identity veiling explicates how IPV tactics cause the relational layer of identity to eclipse the personal layer in IPV relationships. Therefore, post-IPV recovery involves unveiling the personal layer of identity—communicatively (re)constructing self-image beyond the IPV relationship and the identity gaps it engendered. This study conceptualizes the role of violent communication in the construction of identity gaps and identity gap negotiation.

For LGBTQIA+ individuals, identity development and exploration are salient experiences that may be further impacted by other major life events, including moving away to college. Using the communication theory of identity, we examined identity gaps (i.e., inconsistencies between various frames of identity) between LGBTQIA+ college students’ personal identity and their enacted, relational, and communal identities and their link to social connection, self-stigma, and activism. Data from 221 LGBTQIA+ students from 55 colleges and universities in the United States indicated that personal identity gaps during the semester are negatively associated with social connection, which in turn, is positively associated with internalized stigma toward one’s LGBTQIA+ identity. Practically, our findings suggest that universities should invest in efforts to provide safe and affirming environments that allow LGBTQIA+ students to fully express themselves, which may help students feel connected to their campus community and, in turn, mitigate self-stigma.

Guided by Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) and Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), the purpose of this study was to investigate how families communicatively negotiate religious differences and how that negotiation is related to parent-child relational solidarity. Specifically, we examined the direct effects of (non)accommodative communication on relational solidarity and indirect effects via identity gaps. Using a cross-sectional survey from emerging adult college students (N = 234), we found nonaccommodative communication is indirectly related to lower relational solidarity through increased identity gaps. Accommodative communication is indirectly related to higher relational solidarity through decreased identity gaps. When parents use accommodative strategies, they may help alleviate the mismatch between their child’s personal, enacted, and relational layers of identity, and foster increased relational solidarity.

ABSTRACTWhile cigarette smoking is decreasing among young adults, rates of nicotine consumption through other devices, most notably electronic cigarettes, are on the rise. Framed by communication theory of identity, this study examines young adult smokers’ experiences with relational others in regard to their smoking. Focus group discussions and individual interviews convened with 20 young adult cigarette and electronic cigarette smokers revealed identity gaps implicating the relational layer of identity, including personal-relational, enacted-relational, and personal-enacted-relational identity gaps. Participants used communicative and behavioral strategies to manage relational discrepancies. The documented identity gaps and management strategies present opportunities for targeted smoking cessation interventions that amplify dissonance created through identity gaps as a motivational tactic.

Extending the focus and scope of the communication theory of identity (CTI), this paper introduces a new theoretical construct within CTI’s interpenetration of frames – identity bridging. Theoretical extensions of CTI have established identity gaps, which are inconsistencies between individuals’ personal, enacted, relational, communal, and material identities. Identity bridges represent individuals’ responses to identity gaps. Identity bridging consists of psychological, behavioral, and communicative responses to identity gaps. This paper aims to define identity bridging, outline how past literature advocates the validity of the new construct, examine how identity bridging can be integrated into CTI, explore the relationship between identity gaps and identity bridging, propose extensions to CTI’s current assumptions, and discuss implications and future research directions.

Though experienced by more than 1 in 5 (50 million) American adults, chronic pain is invisible, subjective, difficult to communicate, and often stigmatized. When faced with a serious injury or ongoing illness, individuals create an “illness identity” by modifying their goals and expectations for the future, adapting to impairments, and understanding new emotional reactions. The current, two-phase study uses the communication theory of identity (CTI) to explore the process of illness identity adoption in the context of chronic pain, which may be different than for more understood, less stigmatized illnesses. A focus group was conducted (N = 6), from which interview protocol were created. Interview participants (N = 23) described specific differences between their pre- and post-pain selves within three identity frames: personal, relational, and enacted. Within each frame, several sub-themes of pain-related identity changes are identified, as well how they were communicated and how they subsequently influenced communication. Additionally, three pain-related identity gaps, or ways in which two identity frames contradict each other, were identified, all created explicitly because of the onset of chronic pain: personal-enacted, personal-relational, and personal-communal. Theoretical contributions include using CTI to outline the illness identity adoption process in the context of chronic pain, identifying unique identity gaps created by this relatively widespread condition. Practically, understanding pain-related identity outcomes can help pain patients make sense of and manage their situation, and de-stigmatize the chronic pain experience.