Complex Identity Research Articles

Collage-based narratives of mothers of third culture kids the in-between space of transnational families in the UAE

This study delves into the lives of transnational families in the UAE, exploring their complex identities using a visual research approach known as the Collage Life Elicitation Technique (CLET). Both the topic and the methodology are framed within a theoretical lens of Verstehen (understanding) with a view to further exploring the lives of transnational families in the context of a pragmatic phenomenology and within the setting of the UAE as a rentier state. The lives of families such as these are characterized by a cross-cultural lifestyle, high mobility and expected repatriation. This paper presents narratives of eight transnational families in the UAE as expressed by the mother of each family unit, and seeks to expand on how these mothers view the identity of their families as expatriates living in the UAE. Findings indicate that these families navigate an intricate world where they are neither entirely of their host country nor of their passport country. The family unit plays a pivotal role in these families’ lives, acting as a bridge between their host culture and their home culture, serving as a nucleus for their evolving identities.

재외동포 다문화가정 부모와 자녀의 언어·문화 정체의식 발달 연구 -프랑스 거주 한-불 가정 이중언어 교육과 정체성 함양을 중심으로-

This study used qualitative research methods to analyze the practical aspects of bilingual education and the processes of linguistic and cultural identity formation among the second generation of Korean-French multicultural families settled in France through international marriage. The findings are as follows: First, children's acquisition of bilingualism is influenced by their parents' attitudes toward bilingual education, with the French father's role having a greater impact on a family's linguistic balance than the Korean mother's. These findings highlight how parents' linguistic roles affect the dynamics of culture and language within a family, necessitating a reconsideration of bilingual education. Second, the challenges of bilingual education include setting a standard for bilingualism, addressing issues related to language mixing, and managing differences in the status of languages. Third, the correlation between bilingualism and identity formation suggests that when an individual's linguistic identity and cultural belonging are harmoniously integrated, a stronger sense of identity emerges. Additionally, the linguistic and cultural challenges faced by bilingual children and the process of overcoming those challenges are integral to their identity formation process. This research offers valuable insights into bilingual education for children from multicultural families and their cultural identity development, addressing the relatively insufficient studies on the complex identity issues faced by children of multicultural families living abroad.

Examining the Implications of Islamic Teacher Education and Professional Learning: Towards Professional Identity Renewal in Islamic Schools

Teachers in Islamic schools are often required to navigate complex identities. They balance personal and/or school-based religious obligations with contemporary secular-based commitments to meet organisational demands for institutional compliance. Behaviourally, the motivations and attitudes of teachers play a vital role in shaping a learning environment that fosters a sense of community and caters to the needs of students. However, recent studies on Islamic education suggest a real struggle in managing such complexities. Consequently, scholars have called for specialized programs to counter such issues, focusing on the need for schools to renew their commitment to promoting educational values, principles and practices that are rooted in the Islamic tradition. Several higher education institutions have responded to this call by establishing programs in Islamic studies and Islamic education. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge of the organisational and behavioural significance of such programs on the professional identity of teachers. Using semi-structured interviews, this article presents findings from four teachers who had completed a postgraduate qualification in Islamic education at an Australian university. The six-phase thematic data analysis, informed by Muslim identity and an Islamic worldview, revealed that secular teacher education provided participants with ‘a license to teach’ but lacked in ‘nurturing a purpose for teaching’. The findings also revealed a distinct connection between Islamic teacher education, professional learning and professional identity, whereby Islamic-based pedagogies ‘enlightened and empowered’ teachers toward becoming ‘faith-centred’ in their professional practice. While the study was limited to four teachers, it contributes knowledge to the Islamic education, organizational and behavioural fields of inquiry in two ways, by underlining that (i) the professional identities of Muslim teachers are shaped by a knowledge-seeking mindset, and (ii) Islamic teacher education and professional learning create pathways towards the renewal of teachers’ professional identities in Islamic schools.

Who are the people of Cyprus? The national identity building process in Cyprus from the late 19th to the early 20th century

Abstract This article offers a nuanced examination of the complex identity dynamics among the Christian and Muslim communities in Cyprus during the late 19th and early 20th century, particularly in the aftermath of British administration replacing Ottoman rule in 1878. The article draws attention to the profound impact of this historical transition on the identity formation processes of both communities. Despite the shared wartime experience of the First World War, the Christian and Muslim communities in Cyprus failed to construct a cohesive identity rooted in their common geographical space. Drawing on Zygmunt Bauman’s concept of ambivalence, the article explores the complex process by which Cypriot communities sought to align their identity with larger nations, namely Greece and Turkey, rather than grounding it in their local context. The article contends that the genesis of their ambivalence can be traced back to 1878 when British administration replaced Ottoman rule on the island.

Profiles of John Henryism and subjective task value in higher education: the motivations and attributions of nontraditional students

AbstractSchool psychology scholars argue that diversifying the profession will advance equity and social justice. Yet, nontraditional and racially and ethnically minoritized students are underrepresented in school psychology programs. These diverse college students bring complex identities that may complicate as well as enrich their paths to achievement. This is a challenge as higher education environments often do not optimize support for these students. To address this challenge, we investigated the influence of a school‐based task on cognitive engagement, subjective task value, positive and negative emotions, identities, and context‐sensitive high‐effort coping called John Henryism in 294 U.S. college students. Correlation and regression analysis demonstrated a strong relationship between John Henryism and subjective task value. Latent profile analysis and follow‐up logistic regression demonstrated that older and Latinx students predicted membership in the group that was high in John Henryism and subjective task value. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of this work in better understanding the mixed consequences of achievement motivation, contextualizing subjective task value using John Henryism, and recommendations for higher education institutions.

Transformation Cultural Identity In The Global Era: A Study Of Globalization And Locality

Globalization brings significant changes to local cultural identities through the influence of media, technology, and migration. Global cultures often dominate local cultures, creating challenges for societies that previously had stable cultural identities. This transformation has an impact on the way people interpret their collective identity. Although many studies have addressed the impact of globalization on cultural identity, an in-depth understanding of this transformation process is still limited. This research aims to fill this gap by examining the interaction between global and local cultures and how they form new, more complex identities. Using a qualitative approach with case study methods in Yogyakarta, Bali, and Bandung, this study collects data through in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and document analysis. The results show that the transformation of cultural identity is different in each region. In Yogyakarta, local culture remains dominant despite the influence of modern art; in Bali, globalization is seen in tourism that combines local and global cultures; while in Bandung, global pop culture is accepted by the millennial generation without leaving local identity. This research reveals that cultural adaptation creates a dynamic identity, where people choose relevant global elements, enriching cultural expression without losing local values

Whether and What to Tell: A Qualitative Study of HIV Disclosure Among Heterosexually Married Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

In China, HIV transmission increasingly affected men who have sex with men (MSM) and those in heterosexual marriages. This study addressed a critical gap in understanding HIV and sexual orientation disclosure within conventional heterosexual marriages, framed within a family-oriented cultural context. Heterosexually married MSM living with HIV (HIV+ MMSM) faced complex identity dynamics and interactions between “gay circles” and marital life. Such disclosure was fraught with potential repercussions, including accusations of “marriage fraud”, HIV-related stigma, and divorce. This descriptive qualitative study, conducted in 2022, aimed to explore the common factors influencing HIV status disclosure to wives among Chinese HIV+ MMSM. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted to analyze the factors related to the disclosure process model. Four key themes emerged: (a) concern for wives’ well-being, (b) perceived marriage strength, (c) the degree of social support they had, and (d) a desire to maintain their status in a heterosexual society. The decision to (non)disclose was shaped by both approach-focused and avoidant-focused goals related to these four themes. The findings underscored the need for culturally sensitive strategies that balance family dynamics, stigma reduction, and HIV care management, emphasizing tailored approaches to effectively support this population.

Presentation of national identity on social media in times of crises: The case of a Palestinian anti-violence movement in Israel

This case study offers an understanding of the perception and use of social media among social activists as means of collective identity formation. It focuses on the case of a Palestinian anti-violence movement in Israel. To learn about the identity presented by the United Fahmawi movement, interviews with two of the movement’s leaders and its Facebook posts were analyzed. The findings show a multi-layered, complex identity. The identity is presented as Palestinian, mainly centered around the city of Umm al-Fahm. Otherness is a crucial aspect of this identity, as Palestinian identity stands in opposition to the Israeli one. Furthermore, the police are presented as the source of the crime crisis, while also seen as responsible for reducing it. This study shows how indigenous social activists use the intersectionality between the social, the political, and the national to present an identity.

Incorporating multiracial and multiethnic experiences into genetic counseling practice and research: A necessary opportunity.

The conflation of race and genetic ancestry can have harmful consequences. Biological conceptualizations of race have long been used to justify inequities and distract from social structures that afford opportunities to some that are unjustly denied to others. Despite recent efforts within the scientific community to distinguish between the sociopolitical constructs of race and ethnicity and the biological constructs of genetic ancestry and genetic similarity, their conflation continues to influence genomic research and its translation into clinical care. One overlooked aspect of this problematic conflation is the extent to which discrete monoracial and monoethnic categorization systems persist and perpetuate unequal benefit-sharing in the clinical translation of genomic technologies. In genetic service delivery, reliance on discrete racial and ethnic categories undermines the clinical translation of genomic technologies for large segments of the global population. For multiracial and multiethnic individuals, who have complex identities that defy discrete categorization systems, the potential benefits of genomic discoveries are especially elusive. Scholars have recently begun to call for the inclusion of multiracial, multiethnic, and admixed individuals in race, ethnicity, and ancestry frameworks in genetics and genomics. However, little work has been done to explore and address the unique challenges and opportunities posed by multiracial/multiethnic individuals in genetic counseling specifically. We discuss how conceptualizing diversity along discrete racial and ethnic lines perpetuates inequitable patient care and limits efforts to increase inclusion and belonging within genetic counseling. Moreover, we argue that ongoing efforts to mitigate racial inequity must actively challenge the paradigm of monoracial and monoethnic categories to accomplish their goal.

(Mis)representations of Asian Americans in Storybird: A Bird’s Eye View

This paper explores the misrepresentation of Asian Americans in Storybird, an online platform where users publish creative writing. Through a qualitative analysis of five stories featuring Asian characters, the study identifies recurring stereotypes, such as cultural conservatism, physical biases, and societal pressures. These misrepresentations often reduce complex identities into cultural caricatures, perpetuating misleading perceptions of Asian Americans. By shedding light on these biases, the paper advocates for increased cultural sensitivity and the promotion of more nuanced portrayals. Recommendations include engaging Asian American creators and promoting media literacy among young writers to challenge existing stereotypes and foster more inclusive content.

Cleavages and identities in the changing landscape of world politics

The article advocates updating the research concerning divided societies and complexly organized states. It addresses the genesis and advancement of complex identities of social actors and political agency. The discussion focuses on the correlation between the structuration and content saturation of identities. The use of operational interfaces from fundamental distinctions to various kinds of divides, demarcations and polarizations leaves still unresolved the problem of qualitative parameters of identities, and ways to represent and analyze them. Innovative approaches developed by Russian political scientists take into account the relationship between the processes of world development and the identity of its development drivers and agency from individual political actors to complex social movements. The article shows that the effective deployment of the respective research program requires not only external accounting of the temporal parameters, but full integration of modern evolutionary approaches into their methodology. It is necessary to overcome the usual interpretations of identity in the singular as an abstract universal idea. Equally it is necessary to move to the study of the complex interaction of the acting forces of development and the formation of a dynamic flow of individual and mutual identifications in the plural. To this end, it is suggested not only to update the Rokkanian paradigm of demarcations by expanding the set of distinctions and making the whole structure more dynamic, but also to use the possibilities of extended evolutionary synthesis.

Transitions across borders: Migration aspirations of young people from Kinmen, Taiwan

AbstractThis paper examines the migration aspirations of young people from the remote border area of Kinmen, Taiwan and their migratory trajectories—internal migration to the main island of Taiwan and cross‐border migration to China. Located between Taiwan and China, Kinmen is an offshore island with a long history of migration. Based on multi‐site ethnographic data from 30 young people, this paper explores their migratory trajectories and aspirations concerning the instability of socio‐political context and the growing social and cultural inequalities of today's globalised world, China's rise in particular. It contributes to the population geography literature by using migration aspiration as a critical lens to analyse how young people negotiate their borderland identity through mobility under the changing cross‐strait political economy. The paper emphasises the importance of considering the transformation of regional economy and culture when analysing youth migration experiences. In recognising the socially grounded aspects of migration aspiration, it highlights the fluid and transformative nature of migration to enrich our knowledge of how marginalised youth form subjectivities and negotiate complex identities through migration. The distinctive experiences of peripheral youth shed new light on the conceptualisation of border crossing, place and desires under the sway of globalisation.

Ethnic and National Identity in Russian Research: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the contemporary studies regarding ethnic and national identities written in the Russian language. The study reveals major contexts and patterns of the operationalization of the concepts. The scoping review is based on the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, with qualitative content analysis as its primary method. Samples from 114 papers were analyzed to find existing approaches to identity studies and conceptualization. Explicit and implicit identity definitions and identity attributes were mapped and coded. The research found that scholars tend to provide original definitions and relate identity to consciousness. Implying the idea of a person’s uniqueness, identity is often regarded as rooted in memory, hence the number of mentions of memory studies and memory politics in the reviewed articles. Another finding is that multiple and/or complex identities are widely investigated, and these identity types are given original names, mostly compound. With a great number of identity types, there is still a common understanding of identity as a constructed, dynamic phenomenon. The study concludes that identity is a common value-charged notion for Russian academic discourse, with national and ethnic identities being at the heart of the ongoing studies. The paper concentrates on identities of large groups, which is viewed as a politically sensitive issue, closely intertwined with the view of identity as a factor and resource of the development of society. Main topics are politics, history, representation, dynamics, plurality, communication, cultural factors, and territory. The analysis of the identity studies contributes to professional discourse by illuminating how concepts of ethnic and national identities are operationalized and communicated in the Russian-language academic community, thus enhancing cross-cultural understanding and facilitating more effective professional communication in related fields. Given the limitations, the findings identify the main patterns of concept usage, point to research gaps, and provide a basis for future research.

Ethnic and National Identity in Russian Research: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the contemporary studies regarding ethnic and national identities written in the Russian language. The study reveals major contexts and patterns of the operationalization of the concepts. The scoping review is based on the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, with qualitative content analysis as its primary method. Samples from 114 papers were analyzed to find existing approaches to identity studies and conceptualization. Explicit and implicit identity definitions and identity attributes were mapped and coded. The research found that scholars tend to provide original definitions and relate identity to consciousness. Implying the idea of a person’s uniqueness, identity is often regarded as rooted in memory, hence the number of mentions of memory studies and memory politics in the reviewed articles. Another finding is that multiple and/or complex identities are widely investigated, and these identity types are given original names, mostly compound. With a great number of identity types, there is still a common understanding of identity as a constructed, dynamic phenomenon. The study concludes that identity is a common value-charged notion for Russian academic discourse, with national and ethnic identities being at the heart of the ongoing studies. The paper concentrates on identities of large groups, which is viewed as a politically sensitive issue, closely intertwined with the view of identity as a factor and resource of the development of society. Main topics are politics, history, representation, dynamics, plurality, communication, cultural factors, and territory. The analysis of the identity studies contributes to professional discourse by illuminating how concepts of ethnic and national identities are operationalized and communicated in the Russian-language academic community, thus enhancing cross-cultural understanding and facilitating more effective professional communication in related fields. Given the limitations, the findings identify the main patterns of concept usage, point to research gaps, and provide a basis for future research.

PRC1 Protein Subcomplexes Architecture: Focus on the Interplay between Distinct PCGF Subunits in Protein Interaction Networks.

The six PCGF proteins (PCGF1-6) define the biochemical identity of Polycomb repressor complex 1 (PRC1) subcomplexes. While structural and functional studies of PRC1 subcomplexes have revealed their specialized roles in distinct aspects of epigenetic regulation, our understanding of the variation in the protein interaction networks of distinct PCGF subunits in different PRC1 complexes is incomplete. We carried out an affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) screening of three PCGF subunits, PCGF1 (NSPC1), PCGF2 (MEL18), and PCGF4 (BMI1), to define their interactome and potential cellular function in pluripotent human embryonal carcinoma cell "NT2". The bioinformatic analysis revealed that these interacting proteins cover a range of functional pathways, often involved in cell biology and chromatin regulation. We also found evidence of mutual regulation (at mRNA and protein level) between three distinct PCGF subunits. Furthermore, we confirmed that the disruption of these subunits results in reduced cell proliferation ability. We reveal an interplay between the compositional diversity of the distinct PCGF containing PRC1 complex and the potential role of PCGF proteins within the wider cellular network.

A Sense of Belonging in Online Post-Traditional Students: What Matters?

Online education has experienced a rapid growth and continued to grow, which is driven by the advances in information and communication technologies that facilitate effective interactions both within and outside the online classroom in high education. Despite these advancements, post-traditional students, characterized by their diverse and complex identities, face unique challenges in forming connections within online learning environments. This research focuses on sense of belonging, which is crucial for promoting and consolidating online learning experiences. For post-traditional students, little is currently known about the extent to which they feel a sense of belonging and the factors that influence it. In this research study, we surveyed a sample of online post-traditional learners and used a mixed-methods approach to examine how they feel accepted and valued and how their identities such as academic program, gender, and ethnicity are related to belonging. Our findings indicate that post-traditional learners report an overall moderate level of belonging, with university support, acceptance, and meaningful relationships with faculty and staff being pivotal. Our research did not find significant differences between students in different academic programs or gender groups. However, Hispanic students reported a higher sense of belonging, which can be contextualized within the framework of our university’s designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). By pinpointing the critical and negligible factors affecting sense of belonging, this study provides a comprehensive set of actionable strategies to cultivate a more engaging and supportive online learning environment.

튀르키예 정체성 정치의 맥락과 담론에 관한 소고

Türkiye recently declared a vision called the “Century of Türkiye” amid economic crisis and diplomatic rifts. This vision draws on the context of 'identity politics' that has been utilized from the first President to the current one. Throughout the nation-building process, Türkiye has consistently employed identity politics for national unity and crisis mitigation. This paper analyzes the background and content of Türkiye's discourse on identity politics, which has been utilized in various forms, and how narratives and framing have been constructed from a theoretical perspective. In particular, to discuss identity politics, Türkiye's diverse and complex identities will be distinguished at each level. Contextual analysis of this discourse is necessary for analyzing Türkiye's diplomatic principles and long-term strategies. It will also serve as foundational material to strengthen supra-national cooperation and communication with Türkiye in Korean diplomacy.

The Public's Perception of Florence Nightingale's Legacy in the Digital Media: A Critical Discourse Analysis.

This study critically examines the public's perception of Florence Nightingale's legacy through a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of digital media, specifically podcasts and YouTube. Nightingale, who is often remembered as "The Lady with the Lamp", holds a complex identity within modern narratives that is celebrated for her pioneering contributions to nursing and public health, even if there are some disagreements about her, given the colonialist setting that may have shaped some of her opinions and decisions. This research employed CDA to analyze 25 podcasts and 18 YouTube videos, which were systematically included according to a priori inclusion criteria. The study synthesized how these media products portray Nightingale and, by extension, shape public discourse about the nursing profession. The findings reveal five thematic representations of Nightingale: as a legendary figure, a modern feminist, a dedicated statistician, a pioneer in public health, and a pivotal STEM contributor. These portrayals challenge traditional nursing stereotypes by emphasizing Nightingale's role as a rigorous scientist and reformer, suggesting broader perceptions of nurses that encompass leadership, analytical skills, and strategic thinking. The study supports the hypothesis that digital narratives significantly influence the public's understanding and appreciation of nursing, advocating for a more nuanced professional identity that integrates traditional caregiving roles with critical and analytical capabilities.

Critical thirding and third space collaboration: university professional staff and new type of knowledge production

In this article, the author first addresses the persisting knowledge invisibility of university professional staff by drawing on selected findings from their qualitative, multiple case study research conducted in an Australian university with a campus in Singapore. Analysing a selected case of a university project, the author applies critical thirding as a concept to demonstrate how university third space collaboration resulted in creating new, Mode 3 institutional knowledge and led to a transformative change of research commercialisation practices. The author then compares research findings from this selected Australian university case study to the insights from a systematic literature review which was conducted three years later as a separate research project using an international literature sample. The review provided evidence that since the 2000s university workers, professional and academic alike, in tertiary education institutions around the world, have been engaged in complex identity work, demonstrating increased agency towards de-invisibilisation of their roles and co-creating new knowledge, thereby contributing to university advancement. The author concludes that by applying the analytical power of critical thirding to social spaces of new knowledge production, it is possible to support and promote equal contributions of all university actors to achieving institutional goals.

Multidimensional Concept of “Puritan”: Who were the Puritans and when they appeared?

This study focuses on the origins of the concept of “puritans” and explores and defines the multiple Puritan identities. Due to differing views on puritans and their complex identity, there has not been a standard and unified definition of “Puritans.” Much research has been devoted to creating an all-inclusive term that can represent Puritan experience. In English, the word “Puritan” has a standard meaning, but the original meaning has changed and mutated overtime in part due to the misuse and alteration of the word by anti-Puritan groups. That has contributed to the Puritans’ complex identity. Moreover, researchers disagree on how to define the concept of Puritan. Thus, this study tries to discuss and deconstruct various views on the notion of “Puritan” to present a multidimensional meaning of “Puritans”. We also explore why and how a particular religious community were considered as “puritans” to show who the Puritans were and who could be identified as a Puritan. This allows us to better understand how puritanism as one of the most influential religious movements in Christianity in general and in Protestantism in particular played a significant role in founding the United States of America, one of the best countries in the world.