Identity In Adults Research Articles

Sexual Orientation Identity in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This article deals with the issues of sexuality and sexual identity of people with autism spectrum disorder. The presented research was aimed at comparing sexual identity between people with autism spectrum disorders and people without neurodevelopmental difficulties. The study included a group of 75 people in normal development and 75 people with autism spectrum disorders. Age of respondents 16-59. Data was collected via online questionnaires. The research was conducted using a personal questionnaire with questions including age, gender and diagnosis; a subjective sense of belonging to the LGBT+ community and the Sell Scale of Sexual Orientation. People with ASD showed higher homosexual preferences than the non-ASD population. В статье рассматриваются вопросы сексуальности и половой идентичности людей с расстройствами аутистического спектра. Представленное исследование было направлено на сравнение сексуальной идентичности людей с расстройствами аутистического спектра и людей без трудностей нейроразвития. В исследование была включена группа из 75 человек с нормальным развитием и 75 человек с расстройствами аутистического спектра. Возраст респондентов 16-59 лет. Сбор данных осуществлялся с помощью онлайн-опросников. Исследование проводилось с помощью персонального анкета с вопросами, включающими возраст, пол и диагноз субъективного ощущения принадлежности к ЛГБТ+ сообществу и шкалу сексуальной ориентации Селла. Люди с расстройствами аутистического спектра продемонстрировали более высокие гомосексуальные предпочтения, чем люди, не страдающие расстройствами аутистического спектра. Հոդվածը վերաբերում է աուտիստիկ սպեկտրի խանգարում ունեցող մարդկանց սեռականության և սեռական ինքնության խնդիրներին: Ներկայացված հետազոտության նպատակն է համեմատել աուտիստիկ սպեկտրի խանգարումներ ունեցող և նյարդային զարգացման դժվարություններ չունեցող մարդկանց միջև սեռական ինքնության դրսևորումները։ Հետազոտությունն ընդգրկել է նորմալ զարգացմամբ 75 անձ և աուտիստիկ սպեկտրի խանգարումներ ունեցող 75 հոգուց բաղկացած խումբ: Հարցվածները եղել են 16-59 տարեկան։ Տվյալները հավաքագրվել են առցանց հարցաթերթիկների միջոցով: Հետազոտությունն իրականացվել է անձնական հարցաթերթիկի միջոցով՝ ընդգրկելով հարցեր տարիքի, սեռի և ԼԳԲՏ+ համայնքին պատկանելու սուբյեկտիվ զգացման ախտորոշման վերաբերյալ, ինչպես նաև Սելլի սեռական կողմնորոշման սանդղակը: Աուտիստիկ սպեկտրի խանգարումներ ունեցող մարդիկ ավելի բարձր համասեռական նախասիրություններ են դրսևորել, քան չունեցողները:

Self-Control Moralization: The Role of Moral Identity and Moral Foundations in Young Adults

Despite the morality and self-control relationship having been studied in the past, there is still not enough information about how different moral variables, and their possible interaction, affect self-control levels; especially when referring to young adulthood, a critical period for development of self-control and morality. Within the framework of self-control moralization, the current study aimed to explore whether self-control scores were affected by levels of moral identity and binding-individualizing foundations through early adulthood. Data were obtained by an online survey from a non-probabilistic sample (n=626) of young adults from Bolivia. Having found significant correlations between variables, hypotheses were tested employing t-tests and an ANCOVA, with age as a covariate. Findings showed that binding foundations, moral identity, age and the interaction between moral identity and both types of moral foundations had a significant effect on self-control scores and marginal means, with small to moderate effect sizes. Finally, finding’s implications within the theoretical framework of self-control moralization are discussed.

Conceptualising the identity of Third Culture Adults (TCAs) in the GCC: implications for labour markets and organisations

ABSTRACT Although some studies have explored the phenomenon of Third Cultures, including TCKs and ATCKs, there is seemingly a category of identities that have not been clearly accounted for. Third Culture Adults (TCAs) have a distinct socio-psychological identity that emanates partly from migrants choosing a host nation as a long-term residence for themselves and their offspring. This paper espouses the concept of TCAs as a discrete identity that results from events and experiences among long-term settlers and provides the basis for future discourse and research to enable a more precise understanding of the TCA concept and its implications for labour markets.

The impact of epidemic infectious diseases on the relationship between subjective well-being and social class identity in older adults: The mediating role of Self-rated health.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between subjective well-being, social class identity, and Self-rated health among older persons,. Focusing on the mediating role of health and the impact of epidemic infectious diseases on these relationships. Based on the 2018 and 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) databases, the data were screened, and processed. Using Stata17, we employed ordered probit regression to examine the relationships among variables and Bootstrap methods to assess mediation effects, and the CGSS data for 2018 and 2021 were compared and analyzed. Our results revealed that factors such as social class identity, health status, and personal income significantly positively impact older persons' subjective well-being (P<0.01). Notably, there was a partial mediating effect of health status between the subjective well-being of the elderly and social class identity. And findings showed that when older adults were affected by epidemic diseases, their subjective well-being, social class identity, and Self-rated health remained significantly positively correlated. Subjective well-being, social class identity. What is more noteworthy is that when affected by epidemic infectious diseases, older adults' subjective well-being, social class identity, and Self-rated health remained significantly positively correlated. The mediating role of self-rated health in older adults' subjective well-being and social class identity increased from 9.6% to 12.4%. In the face of epidemic infectious diseases, we need to pay more attention to the Self-rated health of the elderly, and the Chinese government should take effective measures to improve their health level, which will in turn improve the subjective well-being of the elderly and realize the goal of healthy aging.

How are leadership discourses reflected in the leadership identity of young adults?

PurposeThis article focuses on the leadership development of young adults. The topic is of significant importance as leadership identity tends to form early in life, and its long-term implications contribute to leadership formation. The objective of this study was to gain insights into how leadership is constructed in young adults and how it is manifested in their preferred leadership identity.Design/methodology/approachThis research was approached from a constructivist perspective, utilizing discourse analysis. The authors conducted a study involving 24 written essays by young individuals with a business background, in which they shared their early leadership experiences. Drawing upon a modified life story interview structure, the authors meticulously analyzed the content.FindingsThe authors identified eight discourses clustered into two groups according to the types of leadership orientation: toward oneself and toward others. The discourses in the toward oneself group consist of leadership as taking responsibility, leadership as courage, manifesting personal strengths and as a role/status. The toward others group includes discourses approaching leadership as balancing directivity, coordinating and organizing work, personalized approach and as performance management.Research limitations/implicationsThe major methodological limitations stem from the qualitative design per se. The findings based on qualitative data have limits in generalizing.Practical implicationsThe authors' findings have practical implications for educators. The authors propose the utilization of critical self-reflection on early leadership experiences and self-narration as effective tools in nurturing and developing young leaders.Social implicationsThis paper underscores the importance of educating young leaders, as they can create a positive impact on their subordinates and society as a whole. By providing them with leadership skills, the authors initiate a chain reaction of influence that extends through different levels of leadership, leading to significant social change.Originality/valueThe authors' originality and contribution to the literature on leadership development lies in showcasing the diversity of perspectives on leadership among participants sharing a similar background and developmental stage. This holds valuable implications for educators working with this cohort.

Autism identity in young adults and the relationships with participation, quality of life, and well-being

BackgroundAutism presents self-identity challenges across the lifespan. Like “illness identity,” the degree to which a person integrates chronic illness into their self-identity, autism identity entails unique issues following diagnosis. Accepting the diagnosis allows better coping with its challenges and psychological, social, and physical functioning. However, knowledge of autism identity’s relationship with social participation in environments such as home, school, and community, quality of life (QoL), and personal well-being is limited. This study aimed to present an autism-identity profile of young adults and assess those relationships. MethodThis cross-sectional study included 42 autistic adults (18–25 years; M = 19.62, SD = 1.1) recruited from a postsecondary training program. All completed an Illness Identity Questionnaire adapted for autism, Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation, QoL Questionnaire, and Personal Well-Being Index. We calculated autism-identity profiles using descriptive statistics and examined relationships between self-reported autism-identity perceptions and participation, QoL, and well-being using Pearson’s correlations and stepwise linear regressions. ResultsThe participants reported significantly higher positive than negative autism-identity feelings, t(41) = 6.17, p < .001, d = .95. Higher positive autism-identity perception significantly correlated with higher reported participation (r = .44, p < .01) and QoL (r = .36, p < .05). Higher engulfment feelings (i.e., feeling that autism overwhelms the individual’s identity) significantly predicted lower social participation and well-being. ConclusionsAlthough natural development and social and educational environments affect identity and self-perception, caregivers, educators, and support services should help autistic young adults adopt more positive and reduce negative feelings about their autism.

Psychosocial Identity, Intimacy and Suicidality in Young Adults

Objective Suicidality in young adults is a serious and growing clinical and social problem. The theory of psychosocial ego development assumes that identity and intimacy are two key factors for adaptation and vulnerability in early adulthood. The aim of the present study was to test whether psychosocial identity and intimacy are related to suicidality in young adults, even when controlling for confounding variables (depressive symptoms, sex, age, health and economic assessment, religious commitment, and pandemic-related distress). Method Respondents aged 18–25 (n = 607) completed the Identity-Confusion and Intimacy-Isolation subscales from the Modified Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory, as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised and answered questions about the pandemic-related distress and various sociodemographic factors. Results At the level of bivariate analyses, both identity and intimacy were negatively associated with suicidal risk in the overall sample and with the frequency of suicidal ideation in the suicide risk subsample (n = 242). Weaker identity, but not intimacy, was associated with belonging to a suicide risk group in multivariable logistic regression. Moreover, ordinal regression showed that, in the subgroup with suicide risk, identity was negatively associated with the frequency of suicidal thoughts. Conclusions Identity is a negative correlate of suicidality in young adults. Identity-focused therapy may be a promising target for intervention in suicidal young adults.

Engagement in Online Learning Through the Lens of Adults' Learning Experience

The article aims to critically examine the role of engagement in the study of the educational experiences of adult learners in online learning. The authors highlight the existence of a gap between the nature of adult educational experiences and the lens through which these experiences are studied and evaluated. This lens is the learners' engagement. The authors highlight the complexity of the construct of learner engagement and point out the inadequacy of assessing it solely through behavioral markers.&#x0D; The theoretical framework of the article is the Community of Inquiry (CoI) model for studying the educational experiences of learners in the digital environment, based on the notion of the socially constructed nature of learning. The article shows how the idea of lifelong learning as the formation of a new professional identity of adults is consistent with the idea of an ontological turn in education. By conceptualizing the educational experiences of adults as active participants in the learning process, the authors propose to consider engagement as a characteristic of these experiences. The authors identify external and internal factors of learner engagement. Based on previous research, internal factors are proposed, namely learners’ prior experience, future self-image, and personal goals. External factors are based on the self-determination theory, where the needs for competence and belongingness become particularly salient for engagement in online learning.

ADAPTING AUTOETHNOGRAPHY TO EXPLORE CULTURAL AND GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES ON AGING

Abstract This presentation uses adapted autoethnography to explore cultural and generational differences on aging identity and care for older adults. Our presentation is based on an oral history of Virginia Bell, a gerontological social worker and dementia expert who developed an innovative model of dementia care known as the Best FriendsTM approach (Bell &amp; Troxel, 2012; 2016). Through several in-depth interviews, this oral history project created space for conversation across generations – discussions between two cisgender white women, both social workers and gerontologists. At age 98, Bell reflected on people and experiences that shaped her perspective on caring for people with dementia from a person-centered, relational approach. The interviewer, in her mid-40s, assumed a co-interpreter role with Bell, documenting her childhood and formative years, as well as what informed her approach to caring for people with dementia. In this presentation, we bring a third voice into the conversation. During data analysis, a first-year graduate student was invited to help code and analyze Bell’s interview transcripts. As a novice gerontologist and social worker from Bangladesh, this cisgender male in his 40s shares his reactions to Bell’s oral history interviews. Specifically, this autoethnography-inspired presentation examines cultural and generational differences on aging identity and cultural norms on care for older adults. We compare and contrast the personal/ professional experiences of Bell and this Bangladeshi student while situating their reflections in extant literature. This project highlights the utility of autoethnography to systematically analyze individuals’ experiences with aging embedded in a larger social and cultural context.

Morphological Ontogeny and Ecology of a Common Peatland Mite, Nanhermannia coronata (Acari, Oribatida, Nanhermanniidae).

Nanhermannia coronata Berlese, 1913, is a common and abundant oribatid species in peatlands but can be easily mistaken for N. sellnicki Forsslund, 1958, as an adult. Therefore, the identity of adults of N. coronata from several sites in Norway and Ireland was supported by the COI sequence data, and based on this material, the morphological ontogeny of this species is described and illustrated to highlight the differences between N. coronata and N. sellnicki. In all juvenile stages of N. coronata, the bothridial seta is absent, but two pairs of exobothridial setae are present, including short exp and exa reduced to its alveolus. In the larva, seta f1 is setiform, but in the nymphs, it is reduced to its alveolus. Most prodorsal and gastronotal setae of larva are short, and of nymphs they are long. In all instars, the leg segments are oval in cross section and relatively thick, and many setae on tarsi are relatively short, thick and conical, except for longer apical setae. Seta d accompanies solenidion σ on all genua, φ1 on tibia I and φ on other tibiae. We found some morphological characters that clearly differentiate N. coronata from N. sellnicki, like the number of setae on femora of adults and tritonymphs, the shape of insertions of prodorsal seta in and all gastronotal and adanal setae of juveniles; in N. sellnicki, these setae are inserted in small individual depressions, whereas in N. coronata, these depressions are absent. Our ecological observations confirm a common occurrence of N. coronata in raised bogs, a high percentage of juvenile stages in its populations and a preference of this species for humid microhabitats, whereas N. sellnicki is less common than N. coronata and occurs in drier habitats.

Fear of Falling: Perceptions of Older Adults without a History of Falling in the Daily Lives of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Objective To understand and discuss the perceptions about fear of falling (FOF) in older adults without a history of falls. Method A qualitative study with a convenience sample consisting of 51 older adults. Data collection was out through semi-structured interviews during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Three themes were grouped: FOF and its repercussions; Reactions to FOF in the daily life of the pandemic; and No fear, but aware of aging. The older adults reported a fear of dependence, difficulties and cautious behaviors in activities of daily living and mobility in the community. Conclusion Understanding FOF can contribute for your approach and building multidisciplinary and intersectoral strategies aimed at maintaining independence and strengthening the identity of older adults without a history of falls in the community.

A Life Course Approach on Older Portuguese Gay and Bisexual People: The Multifactorial Development of Sexual Identity

Research shows that successful development of sexual identity is essential for healthy and well-adjusted ageing. Gay and bisexual (GB) older people have experienced cumulative events throughout their lives that may have affected the development of their identity. In addition, the few previous studies show an alarming lack of community connectedness among older GB people in Portugal. This study assessed the factors that have contributed to the development of sexual identity in Portuguese GB older adults throughout their lives, using an inductive qualitative cross-sectional approach based on Life Course Theory. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were carried out with older (60+ years) GB people living in the community and using the lifeline technique. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis with a codebook approach. Results suggest a multifactorial contribution of factors throughout the life cycle that have affected the development of GB older people’s sexual identity. These include historical–cultural factors (e.g., sexual repression and traditionalism of the dictatorship), psychosocial factors (e.g., cumulative sexual stigma), relational factors (e.g., relational clandestinity) and intrapersonal factors (e.g., concealment of sexual orientation). The existence of the Internalized Sexual Minority Disconnectedness phenomenon and its contribution to the formation of the sexual identity of older GB adults were also verified. These results reveal important clues about the development of older GB people in Portugal and the factors that may be affecting the current invisibility of these people in the social and health-related context. Relevant implications for the clinical context are also discussed.

Transgender identity in young people and adults recorded in UK primary care electronic patient records: retrospective, dynamic, cohort study

ObjectivesTo quantify the change in proportion of young people and adults identified as transgender in UK primary care records and to explore whether rates differ by age and socioeconomic deprivation.DesignRetrospective,...

Digital Authentication System in Avatar Using DID and SBT

Anonymity forms the basis of decentralized ecosystems, leading to an increase in criminal activities such as money laundering and illegal currency trading. Especially in blockchain-based metaverse services, activities such as preventing sexual crimes and verifying the identity of adults are becoming essential. Therefore, avatar authentication and the KYC (Know Your Customer) process have become crucial elements. This paper proposes a mechanism to achieve the KYC process by verifying user identity using smart contracts. Users obtain an SBT (Soul Bound Token) from the metaverse service provider through the DID (Decentralized Identity) credential issued during the KYC process. The identity verification of avatars occurs within smart contracts, ensuring user privacy and protection through ZKP (Zero Knowledge Proof). Tools for generating ZKP are also provided, enabling users, even those who are unfamiliar with ZKP, to use them conveniently. Additionally, an integrated wallet is offered to seamlessly manage DID credentials and SBTs. Furthermore, in case of avatar identity issues, users can request an audit by the issuer through the associated DID tokens.

Neural sensitivity to facial identity and facial expression discrimination in adults with autism.

The fluent processing of faces can be challenging for autistic individuals. Here, we assessed the neural sensitivity to rapid changes in subtle facial cues in 23 autistic men and 23 age and IQ matched non-autistic (NA) controls using frequency-tagging electroencephalography (EEG). In oddball paradigms examining the automatic and implicit discrimination of facial identity and facial expression, base rate images were presented at 6 Hz, periodically interleaved every fifth image with an oddball image (i.e. 1.2 Hz oddball frequency). These distinctive frequency tags for base rate and oddball stimuli allowed direct and objective quantification of the neural discrimination responses. We found no large differences in the neural sensitivity of participants in both groups, not for facial identity discrimination, nor for facial expression discrimination. Both groups also showed a clear face-inversion effect, with reduced brain responses for inverted versus upright faces. Furthermore, sad faces generally elicited significantly lower neural amplitudes than angry, fearful and happy faces. The only minor group difference is the larger involvement of high-level right-hemisphere visual areas in NA men for facial expression processing. These findings are discussed from a developmental perspective, as they strikingly contrast with robust face processing deficits observed in autistic children using identical EEG paradigms.

Exploring Gender Diversity in Transgender and Non-Binary Adults Accessing a Specialized Service in Italy.

In Italy, studies investigating gender identity and expression in gender non-conforming adults are lacking, as well as data regarding the non-binary population. The present study aimed at dimensionally exploring how transgender and non-binary Italian adults identify and express their gender. The Gender Diversity Questionnaire (GDQ) was administered to a sample of 112 adult subjects aged 18-60 years accessing a gender-specialized service in Rome. The majority of the participants were aged 18-24 years (53.6%), whereas fewer subjects were aged 25-35 years (32%) and 35 years and older (14.3%). Most participants (83.9%) identified themselves as trans binary, while the remaining (16.1%) identified as non-binary. Trans binary participants reported a stable gender identity, whereas non-binary participants reported a more fluid gender identity over time and across contexts. Younger subjects recognized the use of chosen names, pronouns, and clothes as important for their gender expression, whereas older subjects attributed more importance to physical appearance and emotions. Differences regarding gender-affirmative interventions emerged between non-binary and transbinary participants. Findings evidence that gender non-conforming adults accessing gender-specialized services have unique needs and features, thus it is essential to shed light on this population by providing greater visibility and recognition.

Disability Acceptance and Affirmation Among U.S. Adults With Learning Disabilities and ADHD

Personal disability identity is a predictor of psychosocial functioning among adults with predominantly physical disabilities. In the present study, we examined personal disability identity in adults with learning disabilities (LD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In samples of 541 adults with LD, 475 with ADHD, and 433 with comorbid LD and ADHD, we examined the structural validity of disability acceptance and disability affirmation scores and the association between these scores and anxiety/depression, life satisfaction, and general self-efficacy. Factor analyses supported a 4-item disability acceptance and 3-item disability affirmation scale in LD-only and ADHD-only samples. Among adults with LD or ADHD, disability affirmation was a meaningful predictor of life satisfaction, and disability acceptance predicted general self-efficacy. Disability identity attitudes are worthy of clinical and scholarly attention in adults with LD and ADHD, and adults with comorbid LD and ADHD may warrant special consideration in the personal disability identity literature.

Multicultural Quality of Life: experiences of a South Australian Muslim community amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Muslims have a strong sense of obligation in which Islam informs their ways of life. As a religious minority within Australia, these obligatory practices may not be well understood by mainstream policy, health, and welfare services. This mixed-method, cross-sectional study assessed the self-reported quality of life (QoL), worldviews, and subjective experiences of religiosity and/or cultural identity of adults from a Muslim community affiliated with the Adelaide Mosque, metropolitan South Australia. Data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLI) and focus group discussions. Survey results (n = 98) showed women had lower MQLI scores than men did, and married participants had better MQLI scores than not-married did. Focus group participants (n = 18) reported feeling overwhelmed and isolated due to social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by a lack of available ‘Muslim-friendly’ social support services. While results do not represent all Muslim perspectives in Australia, they reveal a dialogic interchange between gender and matrimonial differences, and cultural variances that may exist in the concept of wellbeing. Greater opportunities for social support integrating Muslim religiosity and culture in multicultural practice, in discrete and mainstream services, would benefit this South Australian community.

Investigating the impact of disposable surgical face-masks on face identity and emotion recognition in adults with autism spectrum disorder.

With the outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic, disposable surgical face-masks (DSFMs) have been widely adopted as a preventive measure. DSFMs hide the bottom half of the face, thus making identity and emotion recognition very challenging, both in typical and atypical populations. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often characterized by face processing deficits; thus, DSFMs could pose even a greater challenge for this population compared to typically development (TD) individuals. In this study, 48 ASDs of level 1 and 110 TDs underwent two tasks: (i) the Old-new face memory task, which assesses whether DSFMs affect face learning and recognition, and (ii) the Facial affect task, which explores DSFMs' effect on emotion recognition. Results from the former show that, when faces were learned without DSFMs, identity recognition of masked faces decreased for both ASDs and TDs. In contrast, when faces were first learned with DSFMs, TDs but not ASDs benefited from a "context congruence" effect, that is, faces wearing DSFMs were better recognized if learned wearing DSFMs. In addition, results from the Facial affect task show that DSFMs negatively impacted specific emotion recognition in both TDs and ASDs, although differentially between the two groups. DSFMs negatively affected disgust, happiness and sadness recognition in TDs; in contrast, ASDs performance decreased for every emotion except anger. Overall, our study demonstrates a general, although different, disruptive effect on identity and emotion recognition both in ASD and TD population.

Finding the bright side: Positive online racial experiences, racial identity, and activism for Black young adults

Engagement in Black community activism allows Black adults to resist societal racism. Yet if interpersonal positive online racial experiences may impact self-reported engagement in Black community activism differently by racial identity remains underexamined. Guided by media, sociopolitical, and racial identity theories, we used latent class and regression analyses to examine the role of positive online racial experiences and racial identity profiles on Black adults’ engagement in Black community activism. Survey data from 313 Black adults (Mage = 29.38) collected in 2021 were utilized. We generated four racial identity profiles: race-focused (n = 112), idealistic (n = 97), undifferentiated (n = 74), and detached (n = 30). Undifferentiated and detached Black adults engaged in less activism compared to race-focused adults. More positive online racial experiences were associated with more engagement in activism. Associations did not differ by racial identity. Future research should examine how positive online racial experiences make activism more hopeful and capable of creating change.