Identity Exploration Research Articles

58.2 Exploration of Identity and Sexuality in Online Spaces

58.2 Exploration of Identity and Sexuality in Online Spaces

Negotiating Platforms and Sexual Identities: Digital and Social Media Use in Four Generations of Flemish MSM

Building on the extensive literature highlighting the key role digital and social media play in the lives of LGBTQ people, this article adds a generational perspective by studying the importance of the internet and social media for different generations of men who have sex with men (MSM). Focusing on issues of identity exploration and the search for information as well as social connection, two periods are distinguished: the time of sexual identity exploration, and the present. Based on a mixed-method design, a survey ( n = 684) was used to measure the perceived importance of online platforms (particularly Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, YouTube, and TikTok), while in-depth interviews ( n = 80) helped to better understand how digital media are embedded in the context of everyday life and society. The results show an ever-shifting range of digital media which subsequent generations come across at different times in their lives, fulfilling similar needs with the tools available at that time. This study contributes to the literature by adopting a life course approach to the study of media use among MSM of various generations, which allows to disentangle the respective roles of age and generation.

The role of autonomy granting and ethnic-racial socialization in Mexican-origin girls' ethnic-racial identity trajectories.

The current study examines the role of ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) and maternal autonomy granting in predicting ethnic-racial identity (ERI) exploration, resolution, and affirmation trajectories in a sample of Mexican-origin girls (N = 338) in early and middle adolescence at Wave 1. Latent growth curve analyses showed significant growth in ERI exploration, resolution, and affirmation over 3.5 years. ERS, autonomy granting, and their interaction were associated with ERI trajectories. Results also indicated significant differences between early and middle adolescents in the association between ERS, autonomy granting, and ERI exploration trajectories. Findings demonstrate the importance of concurrently examining contextual and developmental predictors of ERI formation. In addition, ERS may be particularly important for ERI development among early adolescents, whereas autonomy processes and development may play a more prominent role during middle adolescence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Fostering a Sense of Belonging among Pakistani Youth: An Exploration of Cultural Heritage and Identity in the Reluctant Fundamentalist

This paper explores the complex relationship between Pakistani identity and cultural legacy in the framework of Mohsin Hamid's "The Reluctant Fundamentalist," with an emphasis on helping young people feel like they belong. The research tries to explore the manner in which the story navigates the challenges of cultural identity in a globalized society by drawing on sociocultural theories, especially Stuart Hall's encoding/decoding model and Homi K. Bhabha's notions of hybridity and third space. Through the protagonist's trip, we are able to study the conflict between tradition and modernity, as well as East and West, and get insights into the processes that shape Pakistani identity today. This study compiles the body of research on juvenile development and cultural identity. The research aims to shed light on methods for promoting a sense of belonging among Pakistani youth, encouraging cross-cultural understanding, and building a more inclusive and interconnected global society by examining how the protagonist's cultural heritage affects how they perceive themselves and others.

Dominance of Queer Theory in Manju Kapur's A Married Woman

"A Married Woman," by Manju Kapur's novel, is a literary work that intricately weaves the threads of complex human emotions, societal norms, and the exploration of identity and sexuality. This article delves into the dominance of queer theory within Kapur's narrative, showcasing how the author employs this theoretical framework to dissect the lives of her characters. By employing queer theory, Kapur examines how societal constructs impact the lives of her protagonists, Astha and Peeplika, as they navigate the traditional roles and expectations thrust upon them as married women. This article explores how queer theory provides a lens through which to analyze themes of desire, resistance, and agency, ultimately shedding light on the characters' attempts to break free from the confines of heteronormative structures. Kapur's "A Married Woman" emerges as a powerful literary testament to the enduring influence of queer theory in contemporary Indian literature, unravelling the complexities of human relationships and the ongoing struggle for self-discovery and acceptance in a world shaped by convention.

Self-Management of Long-Term Physical Conditions During Emerging Adulthood: A Systematic Review

The aim of this mixed-studies systematic review was to synthesise existing research to identify if the five features of emerging adulthood (identity exploration; instability; self-focus; feeling in-between; possibilities) were evident in the self-management of long-term physical conditions by emerging adults (aged 18 – 29 years old). Five databases were systematically searched. Thirty papers met the eligibility criteria and were included. The synthesis identified that the five features of emerging adulthood are present in the self-management strategies and tasks of emerging adults living with long-term physical conditions. Due to numerous transitions, that characterise this unstable developmental period, emerging adults encounter specific self-management challenges. However, a greater understanding of the extent to which each of the five features are present and the challenges posed to the self-management of a long-term physical condition in emerging adults is required. This will inform targeted self-management supports and interventions in the future.

CINEMATIC INFLUENCES IN GENDER DISCOURSE: A QUEER DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF SELECTED MANUEL PUIG’S NOVELS

The connection between mass culture and literature has grown extensively over the years. This is evident in the works of Manuel Puig, whose regard for popular culture, particularly films, is undeniable. He cinematically appropriates his characters, themes, narration, and plot making, such as the source text, instead of being the translated material. This paper is an exploration of gender politics and identity through the lens of the characters portrayed in the following texts: (1) Betrayed by Rita Hayworth (1968), (2) Heartbreak Tango (1996), (3) Kiss of a Spider Woman (1973), and Pubis Angelical (1979). The contention of this paper revolves around the influence of mass culture, particularly the role of films towards identity construction, specifically on gender-where issues like politics, patriarchy, and nationalism were taken into consideration. It is clear that the characters negotiated their identity through films which functioned as their threshold to consciousness, escape, and expression contrary to the society they’re living in. Furthermore, the themes reinforced the discourse of gender politics making the texts a tool for criticism towards the strict conventions imposed by the Boom period; making Puig’s writing a form of protest and a commentary on the issues relevant to the time and milieu the texts were written.

The Distinctive Literary Style of Arupa Patangia Kalita

The emergence of a new generation of writers in Assam has indeed brought forth new themes, ideas and writing styles, shaping the evolution of the Assamese literature. These changes have been influenced by factors such as globalization, social shifts and the exploration of individual freedom and identity. The "new wave" of Assamese literature that emerged in the 1970s marked a significant turning point. This movement emphasized the individual's experiences, personal freedom and the search for identity. Writers began to delve into the complexities of human psychology, introspection, and self-discovery. The short stories became more introspective, exploring the inner workings of characters' minds and their emotional journeys. Furthermore, the impact of globalization introduced new forms and styles of writing to Assamese literature. This paper attempts to study how Assamese authors began experimenting with innovative structures and techniques. They embraced the stream of consciousness technique, non-linear narratives, social realism and elements of magical realism. This experimentation added diversity and dynamism to the Assamese literary tradition, allowing for more creative and imaginative storytelling.

Towards a psychosocial formulation of newly qualified social worker supervision: bringing the self into supervision

ABSTRACT This paper details the evaluation of a psychosocial model of reflective supervision piloted by the authors with a group of Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) supervisors who supported newly qualified social workers. The authors proposed that a psychosocial approach to reflective supervision, based on the integration of Kleinian object-relations and systemic theory, had the potential to reduce the anxiety of newly qualified social workers as they entered the profession. The supervisors undertook training in the model online over three separate days, with supervisors encouraged to apply the ideas between sessions and reflect upon their experiences with peers in a community of practice model. Although evidencing a reduction in NQSW anxiety proved problematic, the evaluation did demonstrate that the psychosocial approach to supervision was welcomed by the supervisors, and that it brought the selves of both the supervisors and supervisee into supervision, through an exploration of relationships, identity, and emotion. Organisational resistance in the form of social defences against anxiety that denied the emotionality and subjectivity of social worker experience were highlighted by supervisors; however, these appear to be mitigated by the community of practice element of the model.

Navigating the Labyrinth of Otherness: A Postcolonial Intervention and Identity Formation in Hailu’s Novel, The Conscript

This article examines the intricate interplay of Otherness and identity in Hailu’s novel, The Conscript, focusing on the relationships among various colonized cultural groups and the internal struggles of the protagonist, Tuquabo. Through a postcolonial lens, the study reveals how Otherness manifests within the black community in Port-Sudan, as Ethiopians and Eritreans perceive the Sudanese as inferior, while the Sudanese view the Askaris as slaves. The analysis also explores the complexities of self and ‘Other’ within the conscripted Askaris’ experiences as they journey from Eritrea to Libya, encountering different cultures, landscapes, and religious beliefs. Furthermore, the article investigates the role of external factors such as colonization, climate, and cultural differences in shaping perceptions of self and ‘Other’. Drawing on Homi Bhabha’s concept of identity as a constructed image, the study highlights the transformations and evolving understandings of self and ‘Other’ among the conscripted Askaris. This exploration of Otherness and identity in The Conscript deepens our understanding of the impacts of colonialism, the fluid nature of identity, and the need for empathy in bridging divides between self and ‘Other’.

Book Review: The impacts of green space on student experience at an urban community college: An exploration of wellbeing, belonging, and scholarly identity, Naidoo, V.

Book Review: <i>The impacts of green space on student experience at an urban community college: An exploration of wellbeing, belonging, and scholarly identity</i>, Naidoo, V.

Breathing the Air of Their Ancestors: The Influence of Ethnic-Racial Identity on School Connectedness for Native American Youths

In this Indigenous-grounded, transformative sequential explanatory study, the author examined the influence of ethnic-racial identity exploration on school connectedness in a sample of (n = 41) Native American youths attending a public school on a federally recognized Indian reservation. The students were enrolled in a Native American cultural immersion program. Participants completed a survey packet including a demographic form, an adapted cultural connectedness survey, and the MAC 5-A-Short Version six-item school connectedness subscale. While the results indicated that ethnic-racial identity exploration slightly impacted school connectedness, they were not deemed statistically significant. The author also captured youth participants' perspectives to develop a deeper understanding of how ethnic-racial identity exploration impacted school connectedness, identifying eight categories. These findings may help inform a broader development and application of a Native American way of knowing instructional model that contributes to strengthening school connectedness for Native American youths through ethnic-racial identity exploration.

Community-Engaged Participatory Methods to Address Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning Young People's Health Information Needs With a Resource Website: Participatory Design and Development Study.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people (aged 15 to 25 years) face unique health challenges and often lack resources to adequately address their health information needs related to gender and sexuality. Beyond information access issues, LGBTQ+ young people may need information resources to be designed and organized differently compared with their cisgender and heterosexual peers and, because of identity exploration, may have different information needs related to gender and sexuality than older people. The objective of our study was to work with a community partner to develop an inclusive and comprehensive new website to address LGBTQ+ young people's health information needs. To design this resource website using a community-engaged approach, our objective required working with and incorporating content and design recommendations from young LGBTQ+ participants. We conducted interviews (n=17) and participatory design sessions (n=11; total individual participants: n=25) with LGBTQ+ young people to understand their health information needs and elicit design recommendations for the new website. We involved our community partner in all aspects of the research and design process. We present participants' desired resources, health topics, and technical website features that can facilitate information seeking for LGBTQ+ young people exploring their sexuality and gender and looking for health resources. We describe how filters can allow people to find information related to intersecting marginalized identities and how dark mode can be a privacy measure to avoid unwanted identity disclosure. We reflect on our design process and situate the website development in previous critical reflections on participatory research with marginalized communities. We suggest recommendations for future LGBTQ+ health websites based on our research and design experiences and final website design, which can enable LGBTQ+ young people to access information, find the right information, and navigate identity disclosure concerns. These design recommendations include filters, a reduced number of links, conscientious choice of graphics, dark mode, and resources tailored to intersecting identities. Meaningful collaboration with community partners throughout the design process is vital for developing technological resources that meet community needs. We argue for community partner leadership rather than just involvement in community-based research endeavors at the intersection of human-computer interaction and health.

Reflections on Identity Exploration in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic from Queer Students of Color

Abstract: The context of the COVID-19 global pandemic has shaped all aspects of modern life, creating a unique circumstance for minoritized groups as they have explored important questions related to the self. Specifically, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers have expressed interest in understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic affected minoritized groups, including queer people and queer people of color, specifically. This study used data from a longitudinal constructivist grounded theory project following queer students of color within and beyond their time in college to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the process of identity exploration for these individuals. Findings revealed that queer students of color engaged in self-reflection about identities because of the isolation, reexamined navigating relationships at home and within educational institutions, and sought connections and guidance through online spaces. Informed by the study findings, the manuscript provides implications for future research and practice in higher education and student affairs.

Conceptualizing the Role of Racial-Ethnic Identity in U.S. Adolescent Social Technology Use and Well-Being.

Adolescent development and wellbeing now involve how the use of social technologies (e.g., social media and other online spaces) impact daily life. Especially during crises such as COVID-19 and persistent injustices, adolescents rely on online spaces for social connectedness and informational knowledge. Psychosocial impacts, both positive and negative, have been found among racial-ethnic minority adolescents. However, the role of racial-ethnic identity on social media use and wellbeing has been understudied. The current study addresses differential associations on social media experiences and mental health (i.e., depressive, online anxiety symptoms) among a diverse group of adolescents (n = 668; ages 10-17; 45.7% non-White). Furthermore, the roles of self-identified racial-ethnic groups, identity importance, exposure to hate messaging, and gender are investigated. Our study found significant moderating effects of racial-ethnic importance, gender, and online hate messaging. Additionally, the moderating role of race-ethnicity reveals a stronger association between greater social media frequency and heightened depressive symptoms among Asian adolescents. Black adolescents showed a significant association between greater social media frequency and decreased online social anxiety. Significant effects of online hate messaging exposure also reveal associations between online behaviors and depression and online social anxiety across adolescents. As social media adoption coincides with identity exploration, this study highlights how racial-ethnic identity and its formation in the digital age is important to understand its association with online interactions that may help or hinder adolescent wellbeing. Future work should continue examining trajectories of identity formation in relation to social media content and differential mental health impacts.

“Speak[ing] My Mind”

Abstract: Black emerging adults in the United States make up a significant proportion of Twitter users and social media is an important developmental context. Media research has examined Black populations’ Twitter use and developmental research has considered social media writ large, but less research exists on Black emerging adults’ developmental uses of Twitter. This mixed methods study (1) traced reasons for Black emerging adults’ Twitter use to developmental aspects of emerging adulthood, and (2) explored whether these reasons differ by online and developmental characteristics. Data were collected from 203 Black emerging adults. Both qualitative (i.e., open-ended response) and quantitative (i.e., self-report questionnaire) data were collected via an online survey. Six qualitative categories described participants’ motivation for using Twitter: relationships, identity exploration, independence, financial possibilities, recreation, and coping and wellness. Participants who used Twitter for independence had higher critical media literacy. Participants who used Twitter for recreation and for identity explorations felt more positively about being Black and differed in other aspects of their racial identity. Findings suggest that Twitter is used by Black emerging adults to achieve developmental goals and that the Twitter empowers Black users to explore their racial identity in meaningful ways.

Perspectives on Poetic Language Construction of Identity through Language

The present research article aims to investigate the intricate tapestry of language and its profound role in shaping and conveying human identity. One of the most pivotal movements in the intellectual history of the twentieth century revolves around the exploration and understanding of language and its fundamental roles in the human experience. Since the dawn of civilization, language has served as the conduit for narrating, preserving, and influencing the multifaceted dimensions of human experience. It stands as a reflection and assertion of individual and collective identity, offering insights into the diverse ways through which human beings perceive, interact with, and interpret the world around them. This article embarks on a comprehensive examination of the burgeoning human interest in language, transcending its functional use as a mere tool for communication. It scrutinizes the significant transformation in the conceptualization of language, primarily initiated in the twentieth century, wherein language evolved to be seen not just as a medium of communication but as a crucial construct that interlaces with diverse dimensions of human existence and identity. The study delves into various facets of language, encompassing its poetic dimensions, which provide a rich, multi-layered platform for the exploration and expression of identity. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives, the article explores the symbiotic relationship between language and identity, acknowledging the myriad ways through which language informs, shapes, and is shaped by human identity. It investigates the poetic construction of language, unveiling the nuanced ways in which language, particularly in its poetic form, serves as a powerful instrument for the articulation and construction of identity. There is a dynamic interplay between language and identity, providing a robust foundation for future research and exploration in the realm of language studies, with a particular focus on its poetic dimensions and its role in the construction of identity. The paper seeks to contribute to the ongoing discourse on language, adding depth and breadth to the understanding of its multifarious roles in the human experience, particularly in the context of identity construction through poetic language.

Identity Theft: Social Withdrawal as a Risk Factor in Identity Development

During emerging adulthood, identity development may be facilitated through a myriad of social interactions, especially in settings such as college. However, some social withdrawal motivations may impede an individual from engaging with others, and consequently, may stifle identity exploration and commitment. The objective of this study was to examine differences between social withdrawal subtypes on levels of identity development in a variety of domains among college emerging adults. Participants for this study consisted of 792 undergraduate students (547 women, 69% European American). Distinct social withdrawal motivation groups were created (shy, unsocial, avoidant) and then compared using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results indicated the shy group struggled with identity commitment generally, the avoidant group struggled with identity exploration and commitment in multiple domains, and the unsocial and mixed withdrawn groups showed comparable levels of identity exploration and commitment to the non-withdrawn group both generally and across identity domains.

Standard and Non-Standard English in Bangladesh: A Sociolinguistic Exploration of Linguistic Identity, Post-Colonial Legacy, and the Quest for Global Englishes

The article delves into the ongoing discourse concerning Standard English (SE) and Non-Standard English in Bangladesh. Historically, the trend of learning Standard English in the country traces back to its colonial roots. The British colonization introduced and popularized English learning, imprinting its influence on both the language and its speakers. Such historical ties lead to pertinent questions about the relevance and position of Standard English, especially in the sphere of English Language Teaching. The discussion critiques the idea of Standard English from a post-colonial perspective, particularly drawing connections between Standard English and linguistic dominance. Additionally, the concept of My English (ME) is brought forward as a counter to the hegemony of Standard English. A central theme of the article is the legitimacy of acknowledging local English forms within the umbrella of Global Englishes. It also touches upon socio-political factors that validate the acceptance of these regional English iterations. The research aims to illuminate English's role in Bangladesh’s local linguistic scene, probing its influence across various societal layers. It identifies particular linguistic and extra-linguistic elements affecting the categorization of English versions in the nation. Emphasizing the crucial role of education, wherein English serves as more than just a subject but a medium for functional proficiency, the article stresses the necessity for Bangladesh to define and embrace its distinct English variant in the larger framework of Global Englishes.

The Evolution of the English Novel: From Classic to Contemporary

This study explores the evolution of the English novel from its classic roots to its contemporary forms. Tracing the development of the novel through different eras, the research highlights the contributions of influential authors such as Jane Austen, James Joyce, Toni Morrison, and Salman Rushdie. The analysis identifies recurring themes, including love and romance, social class and inequality, and the exploration of identity and self-discovery. Comparing narrative techniques and storytelling approaches across centuries, the study discusses the impact of societal changes and historical events on novel writing. The enduring relevance of the English novel is underscored as a reflection of cultural, social, and individual transformations, emphasizing its vital role as a medium of empathy and social change. The article concludes with a discussion of the future prospects of the English novel in the digital age.