Managing Digital Identities: A Grounded Theory of Mental Health Professionals’ Participation in Online Social Networking

Abstract

Despite the meteoric rise of social media, little is known about how clinical social workers and other mental health professionals respond to this new form of communication. This study used classic (Glaserian) grounded theory methodology to explore the experiences and concerns of mental health professionals on social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The main concern that emerged out of research interviews with 26 mental health professionals was a loss of control over others’ perceptions and the loss of ability to compartmentalize the different parts of identities associated with personal and professional selves. Participants resolved these concerns through the author-identified basic social process of “managing digital identities.” This study highlights practice implications for professionals as they manage online identity.