Shared Identity Research Articles

'Our culture makes us strong': Understanding and working with community strengths among Aboriginal people in western Sydney.

Strengths-based approaches to health care are often seen as an alternative to deficit-based approaches and are common in Aboriginal health settings. Despite this, there is little existing research that describes Aboriginal peoples' perspectives about the strengths of their communities. This paper describes cultural strengths and resources as understood by Aboriginal people living in western Sydney. In-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data from two communities on Dharug and Dharrawal Country in western Sydney Australia. Data come from a larger study, which focused on how cultural strengths supported sexual well-being. Fifty-two interviews were conducted with Aboriginal young people (aged 16-24 years) by trained peer interviewers. Additionally, 16 interviews with Aboriginal adults (25 years and older) were conducted by members of the research team. While opinions varied, four key areas of cultural strength were identified: (1) strong kinship relationships; (2) knowledge sharing; (3) shared experiences, identities, and values; and (4) knowing Country. Throughout these four themes, the sense of connection and belonging is viewed as an important overarching theme. Communities are not homogenous with regard to what they view as cultural strengths. Knowing Country and practising culture meant different things to different individuals while providing a similar sense of belonging, connection, and identity. Health service providers, policies, and programs can use this information to understand the continuing impacts of past policies and events whilst recognising that each community has strengths that can be drawn upon to improve service engagement, knowledge sharing, and health outcomes.

Language teacher educators' identity development through self‐study: A case for collaboration and community

AbstractIn this conceptual feature article, we explore how our language teacher educator (LTE) identities have been shaped through collaboration around practice‐based research as we have engaged in more than a decade of self‐study of teacher education practices (S‐STEP) work. We consider three key aspects of our collaborative identities: (1) we have a shared identity and purpose as LTE researchers; (2) we also have individual LTE identities and so heterogeneity within our group is a strength; and (3) our shared and individual LTE identities are nested within a mutual community of trust. We have found that all three of these components are necessary to develop and sustain our collaborative work, which has a dual goal of contributing to the field while we strengthen our own practices. It is our hope this article can help guide LTEs who are seeking to develop their identities and expertise and searching for communities in which to do so.

A Conditional Process Analysis of Siblings’ Religious Communication (Non)accommodation, Surface Acting, and Shared Family Identity

ABSTRACT This study tested the conditional direct and indirect associations between siblings’ religious (non)accommodation and shared family identity (SFI) vis-à-vis surface acting. Participants included 218 young adults who reported on a target sibling’s (non)accommodation of their religious beliefs, as well as their family’s conversation and conformity orientations. Results indicated that the sibling’s religious (non)accommodation was directly and indirectly associated with the participant’s SFI with the sibling via the participant’s surface acting during religious conversations. The associations varied in magnitude, however, as a function of family conversation and conformity orientations. For sibling accommodation, the positive indirect association with SFI grew in magnitude for families low to moderate in conversation orientation as conformity orientation increased. For sibling nonaccommodation, the negative direct association with SFI diminished in magnitude as both family orientations increased, whereas the negative indirect association increased in magnitude for families low to moderate in conversation orientation as conformity orientation increased.

The Role of Cultural Festivals in Fostering Social Cohesion in Multicultural Societies in Brazil

Cultural festivals serve as vital platforms for celebrating diversity and promoting social cohesion in multicultural societies. This study investigates the role of cultural festivals in fostering social cohesion within the context of Brazil, a nation known for its rich cultural tapestry and diverse population. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. In-depth interviews were conducted with festival organizers, participants, and community members to gain insights into their experiences and perceptions. Additionally, surveys were administered to assess the impact of festivals on social cohesion, measuring factors such as intergroup contact, trust, and shared identity. The findings revealed that cultural festivals play a significant role in fostering social cohesion in Brazil. Festivals provide opportunities for individuals from different cultural backgrounds to interact, exchange ideas, and celebrate their shared humanity. Participation in festivals was associated with increased intergroup contact, enhanced trust, and a stronger sense of shared identity. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of cultural festivals as catalysts for social cohesion in multicultural societies. Festivals create spaces for intercultural dialogue, promote understanding, and foster a sense of belonging among diverse communities. The findings have implications for policymakers, community organizers, and researchers interested in leveraging cultural festivals to build more inclusive and cohesive societies.

Contending with coloniality: Unsettling migration narratives of Venezuelans in Peru

This article explores how Venezuelan migrants in Peru negotiate sometimes-contradictory notions of identity, solidarity and modernity. Building from decolonial scholarship, it argues for the importance of situated racialized accounts of migrants’ experiences. I found that a common identity as Latin Americans facilitated migration, with an emphasis on solidarity and ‘brotherhood’. Yet, Venezuelans’ narratives also reinforced hierarchical notions of development that position whiter populations as more advanced than indigenous populations. Their stories reveal a constant negotiation between discourses of shared identity and hierarchical understandings of development and modernity that are constantly perpetuated under the coloniality of power. My findings reiterate a need to not only consider multiple intersecting components of migrant identities but also the ways in which identities shift and take on different meanings in different spatial contexts. Based on 18 migrant narratives, the article addresses a lacuna of analyses examining how migrants themselves re-theorize race and development. By centering coloniality and racialization in migration, I challenge linear narratives of migration from less developed to more developed countries and show how some migrants grapple with vulnerability while also reinforcing uneven power dynamics of racialized othering.

Identity enactment as a social accomplishment: Shared identity and the provision of mutual support amongst pilgrims undertaking the Hajj.

Experimental and survey research shows that a common group membership can result in increased levels of social support. Here we complement such research with qualitative data concerning the forms and function of such support. Specifically, we explore the mutual support reported by pilgrims undertaking the Hajj. This requires participants enact a series of identity-related beliefs and values (including specific rituals) in conditions that are practically and psychologically challenging. Using data obtained through semi-structured interviews (N = 33), we investigate how participants' shared identity facilitated their behavioural enactment of these identity-defining beliefs and values. We focus on how their shared understanding of their beliefs and values as Hajj pilgrims allowed various forms of support (psychological, material, informational, and behavioural) which helped participants translate their identity-related ideals into behaviour. Our analysis implies that a shared identity provides a frame of reference with which group members can recognize each other's identity-related concerns and what they need in order to enact their identity. In turn, it implies that insituations where there are practical and psychological constraints on behaviour, action in terms of one's social identity can be conceptualized as a joint accomplishment in which the mutual support of group members is key.

An evaluation of the role of social identity processes for enhancing health outcomes within UK‐based social prescribing initiatives designed to increase social connection and reduce loneliness: A systematic review

AbstractThe UK's National Health Service has introduced Social Prescribing initiatives to tackle loneliness and ill‐health, yet it lacks a theoretical foundation and evidence base for Social Prescribing's effectiveness. Recent research applies the Social Identity Approach to Health (SIAH) to explain Social Prescribing's health benefits, emphasising how social connection unlocks health‐enhancing psychological mechanisms. This systematic review therefore aims to assess UK‐based Social Prescribing programmes designed to boost social connection and alleviate loneliness, examining programme efficacy and the role of SIAH processes in health outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, a narrative synthesis of articles published from May 5, 2006 (when social prescribing was first introduced in the NHS), to April 8, 2024, was conducted, and their quality assessed using CONSORT‐SPI (2018). Of these programmes, 10 employed a mixed‐methods design, 8 qualitative and 1 quantitative service evaluation, totalling 3,298 participants. Results indicate that Social Prescribing's psychological value lies in quality rather than quantity of social connections, with meaningful connections fostering shared identity, perceived support and self‐efficacy, the latter of which sustains social engagement post‐programme. The SIAH was a useful tool for mapping mixed‐methods findings onto a common theoretical framework to highlight these key proponents. Overall, this review underscores the importance of SIAH‐informed Social Prescribing interventions in enhancing social connectedness, reducing loneliness, and promoting overall health. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Online support groups, social identity, and the health and wellbeing of adults with Long Covid: An interview study

AbstractAs many individuals with Long Covid are left without formal support, they have turned to online support groups for help. In a pre‐registered study, interviews were carried out with 21 adults with Long Covid to explore experiences of using online support groups, to understand whether participants felt these experiences influenced their health and wellbeing, and to identify whether group members developed a shared social identity. The reported benefits varied by the nature and size of the online support group: participants reported that smaller groups enabled a sense of community; occupation groups provided work‐specific support; and larger groups helped with symptom management. Interviewees reported that support groups validated members' experiences, made them feel less alone, and enhanced self‐efficacy by providing and offering support and enabling participants to learn new skills. However, negative outcomes were also reported, such as increased fear and reduced wellbeing. Shared identities developed based on mutual Long Covid experiences, shared values towards illness management, and pre‐existing identities. Reported experiences also varied between online support group size (large vs small); type (e.g., advocacy‐focused, yoga‐based, local or international); and platform (video‐ vs text‐based) and throughout the illness. Whilst this study recognises the necessity of medical treatment for Long Covid, we also recommended that individuals with Long Covid explore different support groups to find the most suitable group for them in terms of preferred group features, values towards illness management and enablement of social identities.

“You are you, and I am me”: investigating inter-organisational collaboration between multiple emergency services

PurposeIn the past decade, financial austerity has brought significant pressure upon emergency services in the UK. For the British Government, one approach to alleviate this pressure was to increase collaborative efforts in core functions (e.g. information systems and technology) between multiple organisations. Despite the consensus that collaborations are key in addressing complex problems, the majority fail or become discontinued. This research explores the development of collaborative information infrastructures between one Police Force and two Fire and Rescue Services in the UK, with a specific focus on how the difference in culture, identities and rules and norms, can work in a collaborative emergency service environment.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigated an example of successful development of a collaborative information infrastructure within the context of public safety and, specifically, the technology-based structures that underpin information management. A case study approach was taken, combining semi-structured interviews, document analysis and site visits. The study used activity theory as a theoretical and analytical framework.FindingsThe research revealed that creating a shared identity is not essential in emergency services collaboration, and organisations may maintain their separate identity, given they address other elements of the activity system (e.g. leadership, motivated subjects). However, pursuing this strategy will create multiple tensions throughout the collaboration process.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the information systems literature concerning inter-organisational collaborations in the public sector providing a novel view to the implications of maintaining separate identities, and the significance of misalignment between interacting activity systems.

Community Technical Identity among Potters in the Talina Valley, South Andean Bolivia

ABSTRACT This article explores the relationship between individual and community craft practices and technical identity. We examine the initial phases of the pottery production process, specifically the acquisition and processing of raw materials by women potters in the Indigenous and rural community of Chipihuayco in the Talina Valley, southern Bolivia. To unravel these dynamics, we employ a comprehensive approach that combines ethnographic and petrographic data. Ethnographic data provide insight into the collective and personal decision-making processes involved in ceramic production. Additionally, petrographic data allow us to investigate less visible aspects that shape technological practices, such as the mineralogical properties of raw materials and recipes. This study documents a strong association between the selection and processing of raw materials and a shared technical identity, which is embedded in broader cultural values and ritual practices.

A Primordial Ethnic Evaluation of Gurkhas of India

The Gurkha people also known as Nepali people, renowned for their valor and loyalty in the world, have a longstanding historical presence in India. This paper through an in-depth analysis of historical recordsexamines the multifaceted ethnicidentity aspects of the Gurkha community's existence in India, encompassing their historical evolution, socio-cultural significance, and contemporary challenges.The research further investigates the contemporary challenges faced by the Gurkha community and uses a primordial lens to evaluate the unique identity and contributions of the Gurkha people in India. The Gurkhas' primordial identity fosters unity and cooperation, transcending geographical boundaries and creating a global shared identity. The concept of primordial ethnicity is crucial for understanding ethnic dynamics and cultural heritage's role in shaping their resilience. The Gurkhas' condition is influenced by historical experiences, economic opportunities, and political recognition, offering valuable insights into primordial ethnic identity.

The ruling ideology or shared identity? The underlying causes of Iran’s influence in Iraq

ABSTRACT This article examines the role of both ideology and identity in Iran’s policy in Iraq. In each society, there are competing self-images such as ethnic, ideological, and religious perceptions that impact foreign policy. Which begs the question whether identity or ideology has more influence? I argue that shared religious identity in two different countries is more important than ideology in mobilizing segments within multi-confessional societies. In addition, these forces become operational after the collapse of the state. The existence of a formidable central state thwarts the mobilization of counter identity and ideology, but when it weakens the door opens for sub-identities. The Islamist ideology of the Iranian revolution, for example, galvanized Muslims from different sectarian backgrounds. However, these ideological precepts gave away to shared identity. The Iraqi Shia today do not believe in the precepts of velayat-e faqih as much as shared Shia identity with Iran.

‘I found everything in them’: Formation of migrant networks and social capital

AbstractThis paper explores the issue of creation of migrant networks in different contexts along the Eastern Mediterranean route and the Balkans. Drawing on 27 qualitative interviews and ethnographic fieldwork, it uncovers the information about migration journeys and the ways how social capital is transferred among migrants. The paper sheds light on the role of social networks, their influence on strategies, behaviour patterns and resource allocation during migration. The findings underscore different benefits of using migrant networks, highlighting their role in providing crucial support as well as increasing safety and supporting migrants' well‐being. Moreover, the shared identity forged through these networks enhances migrants' resilience, empowering migrants to navigate challenges more effectively. These empirical findings challenge the narratives of migration being individualistic and contribute to the literature on creation, dynamics, and benefits of networks of irregular transit migration, highlighting the differences from other migrant networks.

The EU’s Normative Dissensus on Migration: How National Identities Shaped Responses to the European Refugee Crisis

ABSTRACT During the so-called European refugee crisis of 2015–16, a ‘normative dissensus’ emerged between the EU member states located at the end of the Balkan route, Germany, Hungary, and Austria. This paper explores the roots of this normative dissensus by operationalizing post-functionalist propositions. It posits that national identity, and its domestic politicization during the late summer of 2015 generated the ‘constraining normative dissensus’ during the refugee crisis. To operationalize the link between identity, domestic politicization, and European dissensus, we employ moral-philosopher Christine Korsgaard’s concepts of ‘self-constitution’ and ‘practical identity’. We then apply this normative-constructivist approach to empirically demonstrate how the diversely constituted national identities of Germany, Austria, and Hungary led to different foundations for moral argumentation during the refugee crisis. As for the European integration process more generally, our findings highlight the importance of a shared European identity to achieve a normative consensus in areas that touch upon migration and citizenship.

Turning narratives into collective action through projects

Narratives are to be turned into commitment and collective action to create a tangible impact and achieve set goals. In this essay a framework is developed that helps us to comprehend how narratives can result in collective action. The framework is applied in a project organising context that demonstrates the related processes of narrating, projecting, action through time, engaging stakeholders, and creating shared identity. A collective action perspective offers a theoretical lens to understand these processes. From this essay, the research agenda is provided, and broader practical implications are discussed.

First report of leaf spot disease caused by Pseudopithomyces chartarum on Lonicera caerulea L. in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) cultivation has gradually expanded in China but continues to be limited by challenges such as leaf spot disease. Between September 2022 and September 2023, a leaf spot disease was observed on approximately 30% of 'Lanjingling' blue honeysuckles grown in a 2.66 ha field (a total of about 11,000 plants) in Jiamusi city (130.47°E, 46.16°N), Heilongjiang Province, China. Affected plants displayed brown necrotic lesions on their leaves that gradually expanded in area until the leaves fell off the plant entirely. Small, 3 to 4 mm segments of infected tissue from 50 randomly selected leaves were surface sterilized with 75% ethanol for 30 s and 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 3 min, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water, dried on paper towels, and plated in 9 cm Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA) (Yan et al. 2022). Five pathogens (LD-232, LD-233, LD-234, LD-235, and LD-236) were isolated on PDA and displayed a conidia morphology consistent with Pseudopithomyces spp. (Perelló et al. 2017). The fungal colonies on PDA were villiform, white, and whorled and had sparse aerial mycelium on the surface with black conidiomata. The conidia were obpyriform and dark brown, had 0 to 3 transverse and 0 to 1 longitudinal septa, and measured 9.00 to 15.30 μm × 5.70 to 9.30 μm in size (n = 50). Genomic DNA was extracted from a representative isolate, LD-232, for molecular verification and PCR amplification was performed with ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), LROR/LR7 (Carbone and Kohn 1999), and RPB2-5F2/RPB2-7CR (Liu et al. 1999) primers. Sequences of LD-232 ITS (OR835654), LSU (OR835652), and RPB2 (OR859769) revealed 99.8% (530/531 nt), 98.8% (639/647 nt), and 99.8% (1015/1017 nt) shared identity with Pseudopithomyces chartarum sequences (OP269600, OP237014, and MK434892), respectively (Wu et al. 2023). Bayesian inference (BI) was used to construct the phylogenies using Mr. Bayes v. 3.2.7 to confirm the identity of the isolates (Ariyawansa et al. 2015). Phylogenetic trees cannot be constructed based on the genes' concatenated sequences because selective strains do not have complete rDNA-ITS, LSU, and RPB2 sequences. Therefore, based on the morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny, LD-232 was identified as P. chartarum (Perelló et al. 2017; Wu et al. 2023). A pathogenicity test was performed with six healthy, two-year-old 'Lanjingling' blue honeysuckle plants. Three plants were inoculated by spraying the LD-232 conidial suspension (1 × 106 spores/ml) or clean water as an experimental control condition (Wu et al. 2023; Yan et al. 2023). All plants were cultured in a greenhouse at 28℃ under a 12-h light/dark cycle, and each experiment was replicated three times. Typical leaf spot symptoms were observed on inoculated leaves after 10 days. The same pathogens were reisolated from infected leaves, displayed the same morphological and molecular traits, and were again identified as P. chartarum, confirming Koch's postulate. P. chartarum previously caused leaf spot disease on Tetrapanax papyrifer in China (Wu et al. 2023). To our knowledge, this is the first report of blue honeysuckle leaf spot caused by P. chartarum in China. Identification of P. chartarum as a disease agent on blue honeysuckle will help guide future management of leaf diseases for this economically important small fruit tree.

“Unity and Refinement”. Paths and Quests for Organizational and Ceremonial Unity in the First Half of the 20tᵗʰ Century

This article explores the efforts of the Hungarian Reformed Church in the first half of the 20th century to achieve uniformity and refinement in its worship practices. The desire for a unified Hungarian Reformed worship service had been a hallmark of previous centuries, leading to a long journey of development in the 20th century. The standardization of the liturgical praxis aimed to create a sense of shared identity and eliminate historical variations in regional worship practices and customs. The movement for liturgical unity had been ongoing for centuries, with earlier attempts including church district agendas published in the 19th century. The publication of the Liturgical Book [Istentiszteleti Rendtartás] in 1930, which is the first official Agenda for the whole Reformed Church in Hungary, marked a culmination of efforts towards liturgical unity. The paper highlights the tension between achieving uniformity and preserving diversity within a religious tradition.

Professional Associations as Networks: How Informal Networking Characterizes Inter-Agency Collaboration from a Social Psychology Perspective

Relatively little empirical and theoretical research in public management explores the roles of professional associations in collaborative governance and inter-governmental relationships. Drawing on network perspectives and social psychology literature, this study aims to bridge the gap by examining the case of the Los Angeles County Management Council (LACMC) and theorizing about the characteristics of inter-agency collaboration that is derived from local professional associations. Results from the qualitative analysis reveal five key themes: relational comfort and affect-based trust, autonomy and spontaneity in knowledge sharing, shared identity and group cohesion, enhanced system awareness, and informal accountability.

The Influence of a Reflective Identity Leadership Intervention on Perceived Identity Leadership, Social Identity, and Psychological Safety in Cricket.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of an identity leadership-framed reflective practice intervention on perceptions of leadership, social identity, and psychological safety in cricket. Building on previous evidence, an eight-week design included three intervention group coaches and their athletes (n = 32) and three control group coaches and their athletes (n = 34). Measurements of perceived coach identity leadership, social identity, and psychological safety were completed by cricket athletes at week 0 and week 8 for both groups. Intervention group coaches completed three identity leadership-framed reflective tasks in weeks one, three, and five, while the control group coaches continued their regular practices. Controlling for baseline scores, our analysis indicated that compared to the control group, the intervention group athletes reported significantly greater coach identity leadership behaviours, social identity, and psychological safety following the intervention. Social validation data highlighted shared identity, relationships, and learning as potential mechanisms for the positive results seen.

The Role of Collective Action and Identity in the Preservation of Irrigation Access in Dacope, Bangladesh

Agriculture is one of the most culturally and economically important livelihood activities of the Ganges River Delta. In recent years, coastal communities have experienced longer dry seasons and salinity intrusion, which is exacerbated by registration errors in land tenure that have led to increasing encroachment by external interests in the Dacope sub-district of Bangladesh. These challenges threaten to undermine the sustainability of smallholder access to canals that are collectively managed as common-pool resources (CPR). This paper explores how identity and collective action may empower farmers to secure irrigation access in the face of external pressures. Drawing primarily on qualitative data collected through focus group discussions with farmers in Dacope, our findings reveal that identity serves as a powerful force driving collective action and the sustainability of the agricultural community. A shared occupational identity fosters a sense of belonging and collective responsibility among farmers to maintain water flow through construction, annual dredging, and temporary dry-season protections. However, despite a strong commitment to maintaining their irrigation system, challenges remain in farmers’ ability to combat the powerful interests of wealthier members of the community that threaten to undermine the viability of the irrigation commons. Thus, formal support through policy and legislative avenues is also necessary to safeguard common property rights against the threat of privatization and illegal occupation of canals. These findings further underscore the need for more research on how collective identity may strengthen collective action, livelihoods, and sustainability in the absence of strong institutional arrangements that uphold community rights and access to common-pool resources.