Identity Centrality Research Articles

A UK national cross-sectional survey of stroke support groups: exploring the role of social identification and group processes in reducing loneliness

BackgroundLoneliness is a common experience following stroke. Stroke support groups may protect against loneliness, but little is known about how these groups exert their influence. This research drew upon current theorising on the role of groups for health and explored i) social identification as a potential mechanism for overcoming loneliness, and ii) psychological group resources (support, control, self-esteem), and functional group processes (clear goals, group autonomy, member continuity) which might structure social identification.MethodsFive hundred seventy-nine stroke survivors from 84 Stroke Association support groups across the UK completed a cross-sectional survey measuring: support group identification; psychological resources (given and received social support, control, self-esteem, identity centrality); functional processes (goal clarity, group autonomy, member continuity); and loneliness (3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale).ResultsGreater support group identification was associated with reduced loneliness (β = -0.45, p < 0.001). Given (β = 0.17, p = 0.001) and received (β = 0.10, p < 0.001) social support, goal clarity (β = 0.17, p = 0.002), and group member continuity (β = 0.19, p < 0.001) were all associated with greater support group identification.ConclusionsSocial identification with the group may be a mechanism by which stroke support groups alleviate loneliness, potentially through facilitating attendance, mutual social support and the development of collective goals. Further research should explore how these processes influence social identification in newly formed groups, where social identity has not yet been established.

Career Booster or Dead End? The Double-Edged Sword Effects of Entrepreneurial Fear of Failure on Entrepreneurial Exit Intentions in the Process of Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Based on self-regulation theory, this paper constructs two paths through which entrepreneurial fear of failure affects entrepreneurial exit intentions, and explores the moderating effect of the locus of control. We analyze a sample of 308 entrepreneurs from small and medium-sized private enterprises located in Southeast China. The results shown that entrepreneurial fear of failure not only stimulates entrepreneurial identity centrality in a self-regulated driving state but also leads to emotional exhaustion in a state of self-regulated depletion, with two effects on entrepreneurial exit intentions. The facilitating effect of entrepreneurial fear of failure on entrepreneurial identity centrality is stronger for internals than externals, whereas the facilitating effect of entrepreneurial fear of failure on emotional exhaustion is stronger for externals than internals. This research provides a theoretical basis and managerial insights for using entrepreneurial fear of failure to motivate its promoting effects and inhibit its hindering effects on sustainable entrepreneurship.

Inside the football factory: young players’ reflections on being ‘released’

ABSTRACT Every year, most young football players experience deselection and for some, this has profound consequences including drug addiction and death. Yet little is known about these young hopefuls whose careers are abruptly cut short and who are released into a world they are ill prepared for. This study brings a social psychological lens to examine how social identity processes underpin these consequences. Our research sheds light on the formation of a footballer identity in young players; one that is exclusive and excluding, that devalues alternative identities, and that cuts young players off from alternative sources of self-worth and support. The first author, a deselected player with professional football experience, conducted semi-structured interviews with eight males (M = 26.63, SD = 4.66), who had been deselected at an early age. Through reflexive thematic analysis we identified three themes that spoke to (a) the centrality of football identities and how this was fostered by clubs to the detriment of players; (b) the experience of deselection as ‘exiting the bubble’ and the mixed emotions of pain, relief, and bewilderment; and (c) the enduring importance and complex understanding of the footballer identity as something that continues to shape who they are. Our analysis implicates players, their parents, clubs, and wider society in the development of a footballer identity, which leaves young men vulnerable to life-long health consequences. Our findings contribute to calls for deeper consideration and action around football club culture, and clubs’ responsibility for player welfare, including when players are released.

Social identity development and religious discrimination among Muslim American youth.

The present study investigated the development of social identity centrality dimensions (i.e., Muslim, ethnic, and American identity centrality) among Muslim American youth as well as associations between religious discrimination and social identity centrality trajectories. Data were collected once annually from 2015 to 2017 with 220 Muslim American youth (M = 14.20, SD = 0.94) in the Midwest United States (girls = 53.2%; boys = 42.3%; missing = 4.5%). Participants were Arab (62.3%), Somali (15.9%), and African American (8.6%), among other ethnic groups (less than 2%). Latent growth curve models indicated that Muslim and ethnic identity centrality displayed negative trajectories and that American identity centrality increased over time. Surprisingly, religious discrimination was not associated with social identity centrality trajectories. This research suggests that Muslim American youths' minoritized social identities develop similarly, whereas youths' American social identity develops differently than these identities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The ReSearching Identity Podcast Project: Developing a Brief and Inclusive Professional Identity Intervention for Higher Education

ABSTRACT In this study, we present the pilot implementation of the ReSearching Identity Podcast Project, an intervention targeting the professional identity development of students with and without marginalized identities in higher education. The objectives were to assess the intervention’s acceptability and feasibility, particularly focusing on its use of educational podcasting, and to explore preliminary effects on students’ professional identity, including identity centrality and the connectedness with social identities (i.e. cultural and gender identity). We conducted a mixed method pilot study with university students (N = 33; 88% female) in the Netherlands. Students completed online surveys before and after the pilot implementation, and students and their teacher participated in follow-up conversations. The results supported the acceptability and feasibility of the ReSearching Identity Podcast Project, with students and teachers appreciating the brevity of the intervention program, opportunities to learn about marginalized experiences of fellow students and professionals, and embeddedness in the curriculum. Also, students reported higher professional identity centrality and overall high connectedness of professional and other social identities after the intervention. We conclude by addressing the limitations, but also potential of the ReSearching Identity Podcast Project to address professional identity development with all students in higher education.

Identity Centrality and Leisure Behavior among Chinese Queer Individuals in the U.S

Research has suggested that various leisure contexts can shape lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals’ identities differently. The multiplicity of identities for Chinese LGBTQ+ individuals who migrate from China to the U.S. may be more salient and complicated given the potential changes in the cultural environment, acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, and leisure experiences. The purpose of the study was to explore the leisure experiences of Chinese queer individuals living in the U.S. and the associated meanings they attribute to identity development. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with eleven Chinese LGT individuals, including seven gay men, two trans men, and two lesbian women. Through the theoretical lens of Identity Centrality, results revealed that participants engaged in various leisure activities to reinforce their sexual, gender, and leisure identities. The findings contributed to understanding the intersections of (im)migration, culture, and leisure in shaping the identity expression of Chinese queer immigrants.

Social cure model: testing the link between identity centrality and body appreciation in diverse sexual orientation and gender identity groups

BackgroundThe level of experienced sociocultural pressure to have an idealized body can vary depending on a person’s gender identity and sexual orientation. The current study explored whether differences in levels of body appreciation among people with different sexual orientations and gender identities vary because of differing levels of experienced pressure by in-group members and varying levels of experienced hostile behaviors because of their looks or body. Thereby, the study tests the social cure model, according to which high levels of identity centrality are associated with better mental health.MethodsAn online cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted with 1,587 people (51.3% cisgender women, 39.3% cisgender men, 9.5% non-binary; 52.9% identified as heterosexual, 27.7% identified as bisexual/pansexual, 11.2% identified as gay/lesbian, 8.2% identified as asexual/demi/queer; Mage = 32.9, SD = 12.6) from German-speaking countries. Variables were assessed with German-language versions of the Multidimensional and Multicomponent Measure of Social Identification, Body Appreciation Scale-2, the Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire, and the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4, revised. A manifest-path model was calculated.ResultsNon-binary persons reported lower levels of body appreciation than did cisgender men and sexual minority persons reported lower levels of body appreciation than did heterosexual persons. Furthermore, sexual minority persons experienced more hostile behaviors directed towards them because of their looks or body than did heterosexual persons. Similarly, non-binary persons experienced more hostile behaviors than did men. Non-binary persons were subjected to lower levels of in-group pressure than were men. Gay/lesbian persons and asexual persons were subjected to lower levels of in-group pressure than were heterosexual persons. More hostile behaviors and stronger in-group pressure were related to lower body appreciation. In cisgender women and men indirect links revealed associations between strong identity centrality and low levels of body appreciation through the mediator of high in-group pressure.ConclusionsData in sexual minority individuals or non-binary persons supported the social cure model, according to which persons can find support and validation for their looks and body from in-group members. In cisgender women and men, strong identification as a woman or man can be related to stronger in-group pressure and in turn to lower body appreciation.

Experiencing tensions of nepantla with inner-departmental change groups

This study explores the experiences of three Networked Improvement Communities (NICs) within mathematics departments as they work to critically transform their introductory mathematics programs. Drawing on the framework of dominant and critical axes of equity, we identify three key tensions experienced by the NICs: identity neutrality versus identity centrality, power over versus power with, and students as novices versus students as experts. These tensions are framed as productive enactments of working to change systems from within, highlighting the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating the liminal space of nepantla. We argue that engaging with these tensions is crucial for fostering critical transformations and offer recommendations for leveraging the roles of identity, power, and student partnership to promote more equitable and inclusive mathematics education environments.

Ethnic identity centrality across the adult lifespan: Aging, cohort, and period effects among majority and minority group members.

Ethnic identity is a major area of study across many disciplines including psychology, sociology, anthropology, and political science. Yet, little is known about changes in ethnic identity across the adult lifespan, and whether such changes are driven by normal aging processes (aging effects), unique societal influences linked with one's formative years (cohort effects), or social changes during a specific time frame (period effects). We address these key oversights by utilizing 13 annual waves of longitudinal panel data from a nationwide random sample of both ethnic majority (N = 49,660) and Indigenous ethnic minority (N = 8,325) group members in New Zealand to examine changes in ethnic identity centrality using cohort-sequential latent growth modeling. This approach helps to identify changes in mean levels of ethnic identity centrality over time and whether such changes are driven by aging, cohort, and/or period effects. Our data reveal that, among both ethnic majority and ethnic minority individuals, changes in ethnic identity centrality were informed by a combination of normative aging processes, societal circumstances that reflected the unique historical context in which people grew to maturity, and societal changes during the 13 annual assessments of our study. Collectively, these results demonstrate for the first time that ethnic identity centrality in adulthood is subject to lifelong changes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Relationship between Gender Identity and Gender Centrality among Transgender, Cisgender, Nonbinary, and Intersex Individuals

ABSTRACT This study highlights the relationship between gender identity and gender centrality, including self-reported measures of the centrality of masculinity and femininity in individuals’ interactional expression, physical expression, interests, and feeling masculine or feminine. This is a secondary data analysis of a larger study (The 2019 Pleasure Study). In this analysis, it was found that there is a notable relationship between gender identity and levels of gender centrality. Transgender men and transgender women reported higher levels of gender identity centrality (“How important is your gender identity to the way you think about yourself?”) than cisgender men and women. Nonbinary people and intersex individuals reported higher levels of gender identity centrality than cisgender men and cisgender women, but lower levels than transgender men and transgender women. In an average of centrality measures (“How important are how masculine/feminine your physical expression, interactional expression, feelings, and interests are?”), trans women had the highest average centrality scores while cis men had the lowest.

Evaluating a School-Based Intervention on Adolescents’ Ethnic-racial Identity in Sweden

Finding developmentally appropriate ways to support youth in understanding their own ethnic-racial identity is needed, particularly in contexts like Sweden where such support is not the norm. This preregistered longitudinal study examined whether an 8-week school-based intervention, the Identity Project, impacted youth ethnic-racial identity exploration (participation and search), resolution, private regard, and centrality. Participants were 509 adolescents in the 10th grade (Mage = 16.28, SD = 0.80; 65% self-identified girls; 52% minoritized ethnic background), who were randomized into an intervention or wait-list control group and assessed at baseline and three times post-intervention. The findings indicated an initial and simultaneous effect of the intervention only for exploration participation and resolution but did not show the expected chain of effects with earlier exploration predicting later resolution. Growth models indicated a greater increase in exploration participation over time for the intervention group than the control group. The findings indicate a mixed picture about the effectiveness of the intervention, with effects primarily narrowly targeted to exploration participation, but nevertheless highlight the potential for supporting Swedish youth in engaging with their ethnic-racial identities.

Concerns about the deportation of friends or family members shape U.S.-born Latines' feelings about U.S. immigration policy with implications for collective action for immigrants' rights.

As citizens by birth, U.S.-born Latines are not subject to deportation. However, many have undocumented friends or family members who are. We examined whether concerns about the deportation of friends or family members shape U.S.-born Latines' feelings of anger and fear about U.S. immigration policy as well as identity conflict, variables associated with collective action for immigrants' rights. After establishing the effectiveness of our experimental manipulation in a pilot study (N = 378), we randomly assigned a national sample of U.S.-born Mexican and Central Americans (N = 1,244) to imagine the deportation of friends or family members or to a control condition. Participants reported their anger and fear about U.S. immigration policy, their sense of identity conflict, and their willingness to engage in collective action for immigrants' rights. Prior to the experimental manipulation, participants also reported their Latine identity centrality and fear of protesting. Concerns about the deportation of friends or family members increased anger and fear about U.S. immigration policy but not identity conflict. These feelings were independently associated with greater willingness to engage in collective action for immigrants' rights. The political consequences of the criminalization of undocumented status extend beyond undocumented immigrants themselves, strengthening feelings associated with collective action for immigrants' rights among their U.S.-born friends' and family members. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Academics and entrepreneurs: Enablers of hybrid identity centrality among university researchers

ABSTRACT As universities evolve through mission expansion and grapple with the increasing need to bridge academic work with practical relevance, researchers are finding themselves in the complex terrain of simultaneously embracing their entrepreneurial and academic identities. This study investigates the factors enabling hybrid identity centrality—a conscious recognition of being both an academic and entrepreneurial individual—among university researchers. Drawing on a sample of 312 researchers from two multifaculty universities, the findings show that researchers’ perception of a university’s entrepreneurship strategy implementation and their society—industry orientation significantly influence the likelihood of hybrid identity centrality. Notably, the society-industry orientation moderates the relationship between entrepreneurship strategy implementation and the adoption of a hybrid identity. The study contributes to the research on the complementarity of academic and entrepreneurial identities and adds novel insights to the organizational research on academic entrepreneurship by suggesting that entrepreneurship strategy alone may not suffice in promoting hybrid identity.

The Roles of Identity Centrality and Affirmation in the Associations Between Discrimination and Mental Health Among Bi+ Adults

Bi+ individuals are at increased risk for mood and anxiety disorders compared to heterosexual and lesbian/gay individuals in part due to unique experiences of discrimination. Minority stress theory posits that associations between discrimination and adverse mental health outcomes may be stronger for those with higher identity centrality and lower identity affirmation, but few studies have tested these hypotheses. Therefore, the current study examined whether identity centrality and affirmation moderated the associations between discrimination and depression and anxiety symptoms among 715 bi+ adults. In bivariate analyses, discrimination was positively associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, whereas identity centrality and affirmation were not significantly associated with either. However, in multivariate analyses, identity centrality and affirmation were negatively associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Neither identity centrality nor affirmation moderated any associations. These findings raise the question whether identity characteristics moderate associations between discrimination and mental health, but replication is needed.

Revisiting Black Americans' self-protective strategies: The effect of negative intelligence feedback on implicit (vs. explicit) self-esteem.

Black Americans use identity-based self-protective strategies to maintain their explicit self-esteem after a threat to their intelligence. This effect is consistent with the associative-propositional evaluation (APE) model, which suggests that self-protective strategies operate during a propositional process that results in no change in explicit self-esteem. However, the APE model also suggests that implicit self-esteem may be sensitive to an intelligence threat because it increases the accessibility of automatically activated evaluations about Black Americans, namely the stereotype that their group is unintelligent. These hypotheses are tested across two experiments. Black American participants across both experiments (Experiment 1: N = 57; 40 females, Mage = 21.60; Experiment 2: N = 79; 64 females, Mage = 24.86) completed an intelligence test, then were randomly assigned to receive either negative feedback about their performance or no-feedback. Participants then completed measures of implicit and explicit self-esteem. Participants in Experiment 2 also completed a measure of subjective identity centrality. In support of the hypotheses, Black American participants across both experiments who received negative performance feedback on an intelligence test exhibited lower implicit self-esteem compared to those who did not receive feedback. Experiment 2 further demonstrated that this effect emerged only among strongly identified Black American participants. Finally, and consistent with past research, explicit self-esteem was unaffected by negative performance feedback among all participants. This research demonstrates the boundary conditions of Black Americans' adoption of identity-based self-protective strategies to protect their implicit versus explicit self-esteem following an intelligence threat. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Organizational Identification, Moral Identity Centrality and Organizational Engagement of Millennials: Moderating Impact of Psychological Entitlement

This study analyses the moderating impact of psychological entitlement on the relationships between organisational identification, moral identity centrality and organisational engagement of Millennials. It addresses the knowledge gap pertaining to the organisational engagement of Millennials. Although engagement is conceptualised as a multidimensional construct, organisational engagement has only recently received the focus of attention of researchers. Despite Millennials being considered an entitled generation, psychological entitlement remains largely an unexplored area. The survey involved 285 Millennial Master of Business Administration (MBA) students in two leading universities in Sri Lanka. The data was analysed using Structural Equation Modeling. The results indicated no support for the premise that psychological entitlement moderated the relationships between organisational identification or moral identity centrality and organisational engagement of Millennials. The results provide valuable insights into the organisational engagement of Millennials and address some of the gaps in understanding the impact of psychological entitlement on organisational engagement.

Undoing Gendered Identities? Centrality and Meanings of Parental and Work Identities in Semi-Traditional, Equal-Sharing and Role-Reversed Couples

This mixed-methods study explored the centrality and meanings of men’s and women’s parental and work-related identities by comparing semi-traditional, equal-sharing, and role-reversed couples. Quantitative analysis involved 2,813 British parents (1,380 men, 1,433 women) who were primary caregivers, primary breadwinners, or equal sharers with at least one child aged 11 or under. Qualitative analysis drew on 60 in-depth interviews with 10 couples from each of the three groups. Results indicated that the centrality of parental and work identities varied by role rather than gender, as both male and female caregivers reported less central work identities and more central parental identities compared to breadwinners and equal-sharers. Equal-sharers and role-reversers were characterized by women’s central work identity and men’s low centrality of work identity. In these couples, a `half and half` parenting ideology underlined the construction of mothering and fathering as equivalent interchangeable identities, each forming only one half of a child’s parenting. Intertwining their maternal identity with an equivalent construction of their partners’ identity allowed women to reconcile a good mother ideal with central work identities, by redefining mothering as a responsibility for only half of the caregiving.

Sexual and Gender Identity Properties and Associations With Physical and Mental Health Among SGM Midlife and Older Adults: Findings From Aging With Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study.

Objectives: Unidimensional measures of sexual and gender identity are most often used in research. Yet, sexuality and gender are defined by complex characteristics. Guided by the Health Equity Promotion Model, we assess multidimensional properties of sexual and gender identity. Methods: This study utilizes 2016 survey data from Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (NHAS) to investigate properties of identity (affirmation, visibility, centrality, integration, congruence, continua, transformation) and their association with multimorbidity, disability, general health, depression, quality of life among SGM adults (N = 2233), 50 and older. Results: Higher affirmation, centrality, congruence, and transformation were associated with better health, while identity integration and continua were associated with some adverse health outcomes. Bisexual men, sexually diverse and transgender individuals had the lowest identity centrality and visibility. Discussion: The findings necessitate a multidimensional approach to identity and the use of measures that are comprehensive and responsive to sexual and gender diversity.

The Influence of Entrepreneurial Identity and Maternal Identity Centrality on Creative Opportunity Search Strategies and Action Likelihood

Based on existing theoretical and empirical studies, this paper’s purpose is to examine the agents relevant to the process of mumpreneurs’ creative search and action likelihood toward new opportunities with an emphasis on two main identities: maternal and entrepreneurial as experienced by mumpreneurs in Turkey. The study examines the significance of both entrepreneurial and maternal identities on the use of creative strategies while searching for potential new opportunities and action likelihood toward these opportunities. Data for the study was collected using survey methodology on mumpreneurs in major urban cities of Turkey. The structural model measures entrepreneurial identity and maternal identity centrality, creative search strategies and action likelihood using a sample of 302 mumpreneurs: 169 part-time and 133 full-time mumpreneurs. Study findings reveal that between the two identities, entrepreneurial identity has a stronger positive effect on the use of creative strategies and action likelihood while maternal identity had a positive but quite low impact on the same variables. The use of creative strategies had a significantly positive and high impact on action likelihood. ‘Years of experience’ control variable has been found to have a significant negative influence on creative opportunity search strategies and action likelihood. This study helps us understand how motherhood’s powerful emotions and attachment to identities, which are highly central to the self, affect the entrepreneurial decision-making process.

Being out in high school: Positive implications for well-being in three U.S. cohorts of sexual minority adults.

For lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer (i.e., sexual minority [SM]) youth, coming out is an important developmental milestone and is typically associated with positive well-being. However, coming out in high school may entail a higher risk of school-based victimization. Due to the greater risk of homophobic bullying, the implications of being out in adolescence and well-being later in adulthood remain unclear. Using data from a national probability survey (Generations Study) of three distinct age cohorts of SM adults (N = 1,474) in the United States, this study (a) examined how being out at school in adolescence affects general well-being in adulthood and (b) SM-specific well-being in adulthood, and (c) examined if these associations differ by cohort. Results from multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that being out in adolescence was not significantly associated with general well-being, but was significantly associated with SM-specific well-being: higher rates of identity centrality and community connectedness, and lower rates of internalized homophobia. There were no cohort differences in the associations between outness in high school, general well-being, and SM well-being. The findings from this national probability sample of SM adults provide novel insight into implications of being out across the life course, including the positive implications of being out at school in adolescence for SM-specific well-being in adulthood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).