Social Identity Change Research Articles

The Impact of Government Actions Under Public Emergencies on The Employment Quality of Medical College Graduates: Chinese Doctors During Covid-19

This study examines the changes in the evaluation of the employment quality of Chinese doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic under the intervention of government actions. In June 2020, 563 doctors were selected to conduct an employment quality survey in western China. This employment quality survey mainly focuses on social identity, work value and organizational behavior commitment from three dimensions, and tests the impact of government actions on the employment quality of Chinese doctors in the face of job risk and increased work pressure through the form of questionnaire. The results of hierarchical analysis and regression analysis show that after the outbreak of COVID-19, under the intervention of government actions, the turnover tendency of Chinese doctors decreases from 9% to 3%, and there are varying degrees of positive reflection in the evaluation of social identity, work value and organizational behavior commitment. The results show that government action, as an external influencing mechanism of employment quality, plays an important role in the face of occupational crisis. The intervention of government actions is helpful to study the positive changes in social identity, work value and organizational behavior commitment of Chinese doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic, and find the positive impact on their employment quality

Spirit Mediumship and Mental Health: Therapeutic Self-transformation Among Dang-kis in Singapore.

While some early studies suggested that spirit mediums were psychiatrically ill individuals who found a culturally sanctioned role, subsequent work has found that they are generally in good physical and mental health. While the calling to be a healer often involves an initiatory illness, practitioners go on to play demanding social roles, suggesting that involvement in mediumship may be therapeutic for the practitioner. This study focuses on dang-ki healing, a form of Chinese spirit mediumship practiced in Singapore to explore whether participation in dang-ki healing is therapeutic for the mediums. We interviewed eight dang-kis from five temples about their life trajectories and assessed their mental health status with standardized psychological questionnaires. Most of the dang-kis did not appear to suffer from clinically significant emotional distress. Their narratives suggest that involvement in dang-ki mediumship may have therapeutic effects in which the embodied experience of self plays a central role. The dang-kis experienced changes in social identity, bodily experiences during spirit possession, and their overall sense of self through recurrent possession rituals. In general, the practice of spirit mediumship illustrates how the experiences and meanings of the self are constructed and reconstructed through body-world relations in ways that may confer a sense of wellness and social efficacy.

"Do I still have epilepsy?" Epilepsy identity 15-20 years after anterior temporal lobectomy.

Identity is a multifaceted construct, comprising personal identity (sense of being a unique individual) and social identity (the sense-of-self derived from membership of social groups). Social identity involves explicit identification with a group ("I am …") and implicit behaviors or attitudes associated with group membership. Following successful treatment with surgery, patients with epilepsy can undergo a complex and lasting change in personal identity. To date, there has been no research into postoperative social epilepsy identity (SEI). We sought to examine SEI 15-20years post-surgery, and the relationship between SEI and satisfaction with surgery, psychosocial improvements, mood, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Thirty-two patients who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL; 19 female) were recruited, with a median follow-up of 18years (interquartile range [IQR]=2.5). Using a novel interactive online program, we collected data on SEI, satisfaction with surgery, and perceived psychosocial improvements, alongside standardized measures of mood (Neurological Disorders Depressio Inventory-Epilepsy; Patient Health Questionnaire-Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 item) and HRQoL (Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 item). Non-parametric analyses were used to analyse the data. Twenty-five percent of patients were free of disabling seizures since surgery, yet 65% stated they no longer had epilepsy and >90% reported satisfaction with surgery. Explicitly discarding SEI was positively associated with HRQoL at long-term follow-up, over and above seizure outcome. Implicit SEI was expressed as (a) acceptance of epilepsy, (b) a sense of belonging to the epilepsy community, and (c) difficulty disclosing and discussing epilepsy. Difficulty disclosing and discussing epilepsy was associated with increased anxiety and lower HRQoL. At long-term follow-up, over half of our patients reported an explicit change in SEI, which could promote better HRQoL. In contrast, difficulty with disclosure of epilepsy was associated with increased anxiety and reduced HRQoL, possibly reflecting the ongoing effects of stigma. These findings highlight the importance of understanding changes in patient social identity for promoting long-term well-being after surgery.

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Social Identity Transition in Academic Retirement

AbstractOne of the most serious challenges inherent in retirement transition is coping with social identity changes. We investigated social identity processes and the role of social engagement during retirement transition by examining the life narratives of recently retired university faculty (14 males and 5 females) from 12 different academic areas. The interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The results revealed one overarching theme—the centrality and importance of academic identity—and 3 identity transition processes with their associated goals: identity continuity, identity change, and identity conservation. Four additional themes captured the manifestations of these identity processes as they play out in the lived experiences of identity transition among these recent academic retirees: awareness of negative aspects in academia and perceived lack of fit between self and academia; social disidentification with academic identity; identity discovery and seeking old and new identities; and embracing old and new identities, including hobby-related and place-anchored activities. Maintaining and transforming parts of their former identities, as opposed to an active search for new connections, was a prevalent strategy among the participants. We discuss implications for designing strategies to better prepare recent academic retirees and academics who are considering retirement to enable a smoother identity transition and improved well-being.

‘It’s not 9 to 5 recovery’: the role of a recovery community in producing social bonds that support recovery

Aim To understand how the social networks of a new recovery community can help sustain recovery, focusing on processes of social identity change, in the context of the wider UK recovery movement. Methods A cross-sectional, mixed-methods social network analysis (SNA) of ego-network sociograms to map network transitions, using retrospective measures. Ten men were recruited from a peer-worker programme, in the South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), West of Scotland. Network measures were compared between two timepoints, just prior to current recovery and the present time. Measures included size and density, closeness of members, and their positive or negative influence, proportion of alcohol and other drug (AOD) using and recovery peers, and extent of separate subgroups. These were complemented with qualitative interview data. Findings There was a significant transition in network composition, with the replacing of AOD-using peers with recovery peers and a broader transformation from relationships being framed as negative to positive. However, there was no significant transition in network structure, with AOD-using and recovery networks both consisting of strong ties and a similar density of connections between people in the networks. Conclusions The transition in network composition between pre-recovery and the present indicates a different set of social influences, while the similarities in network structure indicate that the recovery network replaced the role of the using network in providing close bonds. This helped reduce social isolation experienced in early-recovery and provided a pathway into more structured opportunities for volunteering and employment.

Lost in transition: What refugee post‐migration experiences tell us about processes of social identity change

AbstractThis paper presents findings based on over 40 hrs of rich, phenomenological narrative interview data in which five Syrian refugees describe their experiences of transitioning to a new life in Brazil. Using the Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC) as a framework for examining the relationship between a period of vulnerability, multiple social identities and wellbeing, interviews were combined with a “talking stones” technique. Key themes of identity “recovery” and “discovery” were consistent with the identity “gain” and “continuity” components of SIMIC. A theme of “adaptation” suggested that a process of continual identity construction and reconstruction is central to both outcomes. Further, themes relating to identity “constraint” suggests how some contexts can actively freeze identities, thus undermining agency and compromising wellbeing. The refugee stories analysed in this paper demonstrate how the SIMIC is a robust model for capturing many of the identity complexities within post‐migration life. Please refer to the supplementary material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Non-interaction and identity change in Covid-19 tourism

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the fundamental desire for social interaction in international tourism. It is vital to understand how the loss of meaningful social interaction will impact on tourists' identity change. As the pandemic first appeared in Wuhan, capital city of Hubei province in central China, the study focuses on Chinese tourists' reflections on social identity change and its associated non-interaction during the time of the unexpected crisis. Using the constructivist grounded theory approach, this qualitative research explains how non-interaction with people and place influences, and indeed is influenced by, changes in their social identities during the crisis, and shapes their future social behaviours. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Playfulness and Older Adults: Implications for Quality of Life

Changes in health, relationships, support systems, and social identity are inevitable throughout the life span. Therefore, research focused on mitigating the negative effects of changes due to aging while also improving quality of life (QoL) is warranted. As such, the aim of the current research study was to examine the extent to which subjective age, playfulness, and depression predict QoL among adults over the age of 55. Adults (N = 1,315) who were 55 and older were surveyed both face to face and online. Standard multiple regression was utilized, and results identified a statistically significant model with depression predicting the largest unique contribution. Playfulness predicted a small, statistically significant contribution, while subjective age did not statistically contribute to the prediction. Implications provide a new perspective on variables associated with quality of life and older adults.

Social identity change as an integration strategy of international students in China

AbstractThis study investigates the role of social identities in the context of international students’ transition to China. Sojourners usually confront perceived threats, including adjustment to life‐changes in a new society. The transition has a general capacity to disrupt the patterned behaviour of individuals that undermine their health and well‐being. Previous studies informed by the Social Identity Model of Identity Change demonstrate that group membership and associated social identities can buffer the adverse effects of transition. However, China's story concerning international students’ social identity change is not yet researched. To address this issue, in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with sixty‐three international students. The results revealed that being disconnected from old social networks due to internet restriction leads to potential identity threats during early transition. However, new group memberships with co‐national and multinational peers, communication technologies and host‐culture adaptation enhanced sojourners’ well‐being and help to adapt to life‐changes in Chinese society.

The Social Identity Change of Little Bee as the Main Character in Chris Cleave’s The Other Hand

<p><strong>This research examines Little Bee’s social identity change based on Chris Cleave’s novel entitled <em>the Other Hand. </em>The object of this research focuses on the Little Bee’s social identity change. The method used in this research is critical reading. To collect the data, the researcher did some steps including reading the novel closely and intensively, making notes, visiting library, and exploring the data from the internet which are related to the topic. In analyzing the data, the researcher used descriptive qualitative method.</strong></p><strong>After conducting the research, the researcher got several research findings. They are: 1). The reason of Little Bee’s social identity change are her envy towards British people’s easy life, her needs to tell her sad story, her will to survive, and her desire to overcome her past. 2). The way Little Bee learns her new identity is by reading, such as novels and newspaper, practicing how to pronounce and speak, looking for difficult words in her dictionary in order to learn the language, and learning the British life by watching television and reading books to understand the British lifestyle.</strong>

SOCIAL MEDIA AND RELIGIOUS IDENTITY CHANGE AMONG MUSLIM ARAB WOMEN IN ISRAEL

This study investigates the interface between increased religiousity among Muslim Arab women in Israel, and their social media use. To understand their use of social media as part of a profound change in social identity, fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with Muslim women aged 19-26 who are, or have been, social media users, who live in Israel, and who have become significantly more religious than they had previously been. The findings show two different logics of social media use in times of religious identity change. The first includes reconstructing social media ties to be an alternative, supportive environment, while the second relates to decision making based on the religious rules newly adopted by respondents. Two main social practices were related to the second kind of social media use: managing (and often removing) ties with male users, which raised profound personal dilemmas, and removing digital traces by deleting past posts and photos. Such decisions were made to obey religious rules rather than to gratify personal needs. Social media accompany and assist in the identity change, starting from its very beginnings, and throughout the process. While previous research shows that SNS tie management is an essential part of our identity, our findings show the religious identity of women to be a distinct case where religious rules guide behaviour and decision making. The very fact that these acts and dilemmas are visible to us is a result of paying special attention to identities in flux.

Social class transitions: Three guiding questions for moving the study of class to a dynamic perspective

AbstractWe argue that social psychological theories of social class should move toward a more dynamic view that considers class change experiences to supplement more static perspectives focused on backgrounds or current positions. Indeed, social class is a unique demographic form of hierarchy because of its dynamism: social class is relatively malleable compared to race and gender; it can change multiple times in one's lifespan; and unlike age, it is something individuals can strive to change and that they often believe is possible to change. We review work from a variety of fields, including sociology, psychology, and organizational behavior, that begins to tackle the question of social class change experiences. Drawing on theories of social class transitions, acculturation, and identity change, we present an organizing framework suggesting three objective, structural features of social class change that should inform individuals' experience of changing class: What direction am I going (resource expectations)? How did I get here (predictability)? Where should I be (social comparisons)? We review emerging work as well as gaps in existing theory and suggest avenues for future research.

SHIFTING MEANING OF THE HIJRAH HADITH IN ECONOMIC CONSIDERATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Hijrah is a term that has been trending in recent years in Indonesia. The term’s popularity is due to the rise of reporting on the hijrah movements carried out by public figures. This trend then impacts the development of the fashion industry to produce the needs of those who do hijrah. The production that is done eventually requires advertising, so some people use it as a goal in doing hijrah. In this context, this study aims to find a shift in the understanding of hijrah, from religious reality to economic reality. To achieve this purpose, this study uses qualitative methods with library research techniques. As part of data analysis, this study uses framing analysis. This study concludes a shift in the meaning of hijrah from a religious base to a change in soacial identity. The change in social identity, in this context, then continues to the alteration of religious narratives as economic commodities. The behavior displayed by some people who do hijrah becomes blurred. The intention to do hijrah does not always initiate from self-improvement efforts by leaving bad behavior towards good behavior but can be preceded by economic goals. Hijrah can be encouraged to meet the advertising needs of products that have been issued by the clothing industry. This affects the vulnerability of religious communities in Indonesia.

Identity Continuity Protects Academic Performance, Retention, and Life Satisfaction among International Students

International students transitioning to university undergo dramatic changes in social identity, with a need to adapt to a new culture, language, environment, and way of living. This paper explores the impact of this social identity change on academic performance, academic retention, mental health, and life satisfaction. The Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC) predicts that during life transitions of this form, an individual’s group memberships and associated social identities can protect them from the negative effects of life change. This longitudinal study tested SIMIC among international students (N = 210) transitioning to study overseas, with data collected at three time points across a Foundation Year programme in a large Australian university. Consistent with SIMIC, continuity of social identities predicted higher academic performance and better life satisfaction, and indirectly predicted student retention over time.

Factors which Influence Risk Taking and the Evolution of Social-Identity in Stroke Narratives: A Thematic Synthesis.

Background: The disruption of a stroke can impact an individual’s sense of social identity. A comprehensive review is required to understand the factors and processes that influence changes in social identity following a stroke. Aims: To undertake a review of literature to discover a process of social identity evolution for people with stroke and identify the factors which influence it. Methods: A meta-ethnographic approach to review was undertaken and a subtle realist viewpoint was assumed. Studies were included if they documented experiences and perceptions relating to stroke. Eight electronic databases were searched from January 2009 until January 2019. Quality assessment and synthesis techniques were applied. Findings: Out of the 18 papers included, a total of 251 (141/251, 56% male, 109/251, 43% female, 1/251, 0.4% undisclosed) individuals were included within the synthesis. The evolution of social-identity model was developed and identified with five key stages to represent a process that individuals with stroke can experience. Factors which influence the process were identified and direct implications for clinical practice are given. Conclusion: This review has highlighted the major themes within the evolution of social identity and management strategies for risk taking to achieve a desired future. Further research is required to consider how these findings may be tested in clinical practice.

Methods for the study of adaptation, inclusion and change of identities under conditions of mass migration: development and approbation

The purpose of this article is to present contributions to the development and testing of sociological tools to study processes of adaptation, inclusion and identities change during periods of large-scale migration triggered by armed conflict. The contribution also implies identifying in the pilot survey opportunities and limitations of these tools. Theories explaining adaptation, social inclusion and identities change were validated in previous works by Nataliia Panina, Yevhen Golovakha and Kateryna Ivaschenko. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a group resulting from the combat in Donbas were the target group of the pilot survey. The survey was implemented online and contained sets of questions on identity, social inclusion, adaptation (and problems related to it), social well-being and psychological distress. To verify whether the respondent belongs to the target group some factual and sociodemographic questions were also included. Data were collected using Lime survey web application. The majority of survey forms were submitted via Facebook or via website of Ukrainian Association of Displaced Persons. Factor validity was tested using confirmatory factor analysis based on Diagonally Weighted Least Squares method. For construct validation, the Index of Psychological Distress SCL-9-NR and the Integral Index of Social Well-Being (IISW-20) were used. As a result of testing, it was confirmed that measurement methodologies of social adaptation and identity change satisfy the requirements of factor and construct validity, and thus could be used to study specifics of adaptation and identification of migrants. The same conclusion was made regarding the methodology of passive inclusion. Scale of active inclusion has not shown evidence for construct validity which means that it should be substantially changed basing on the results of the pilot survey.

PERUBAHAN KEHIDUPAN SOSIAL DALAM NOVEL DAUN YANG JATUH TAK PERNAH MEMBENCI ANGIN KARYA TERE LIYE

Tujuan penulisan ini untuk mengungkap perubahan kehidupan sosial berupa perubahan indetitas kehidupan kelas bawah yang diungkapkan dalam novel remaja Daun yang Jatuh Tak Pernah Membenci Angin. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah deskripstif kualitatif yang dilakukan dengan memaparkan secara mendalam perubahan indetitas sosial berupa perubahan sosial kehidupan kelas bawah yang terdapat dalam novel tersebut. Di samping metode deskriptif kualitatif, juga disandingkan pendekatan sosiologi sastra yang mengacu pada mobilitas sosial. Mobilitas sosial adalah suatu gerakan yang dilakukan dengan cara bagaimana seseorang melakukan upaya sosial agar kehidupannya menjadi lebih baik lagi. Melalui gerakan ini, ada upaya perubahan kehidupan, setidaknya menjadi lebih baik. Pengambilan data dilakukan melalui kepustakaan, yaitu dengan teknik simak dan catat isi novel yang menggambarkan masalah penelitian. Dari hasil penelitian diperoleh gambaran bahwa novel Daun yang Jatuh Tak Pernah Membenci Angin mengungkapkan perubahan kehidupan tokoh Tania yang awalnya berasal dari kelas bawah berhasil hidup meningkat menjadi kelas lebih tinggi karena ketekunan dan kesungguhan berusaha, juga karena kepedulian masyarakat di sekitarnya, yaitu kepedulian tokoh Danar.

Суспільні трансформації та ідентичність українців у контексті теорії соціальної ідентичності

Розглядається самокатегоризація як основа формування соціальної ідентичності. Звертається увага на те, що в умовах соціальних потрясінь відбувається «швидка категоризація» як позбавлений тривалих рефлексій, емоційно забарвлений процес співвіднесення себе з групою, що зазнає змін. Представлено теоретичні підходи, які мають значний пояснювальний потенціал щодо змін в українському суспільстві, зокрема спричинених гібридною війною. Аналізується твердження R. de la Sablonnière, згідно з яким соціальні зміни можна розглядати як рушійну силу зміни соціальної ідентичності. Соціальні зміни охарактеризовано з погляду впливу на зміну ідентичності (ситуація стабільності, ситуація інерції, інкрементальні соціальні зміни, драматичні соціальні зміни). Зауважено, що зміна соціальної ідентичності, яку спричиняє та чи інша подія, визначається реакцією групи на неї; при цьому можлива різна реакція представників різних груп на одну і ту ж подію. З огляду на теорію процесуальної соціальної ідентичності, яка апелює до ціннісних аспектів соціальної ідентичності, реакцію групи на подію пов’язано з її цінностями, що постійно змінюються. З’ясовано, що ціннісні аспекти можуть стосуватися як підтримки соціальної стабільності, так і готовності втілювати зміни. Суперечність «стабільність-зміни» витлумачено в концепції мобілізації соціальної ідентичності. Зроблено припущення, що особа через самокатегоризацію відносить себе до певної соціальної групи, формує свої цінності і настановлення відповідно до значущого членства і готова діяти, аби реалізовувати свою ідентичність. Запропоновано розглядати ідентичність не лише як набір фіксованих когнітивних та емоційних настановлень, а і як основу формування образу майбутнього, що спонукає до конкретних дій щодо його реалізації. Обстоюється думка, що соціальна ідентичність є головним рушієм соціальних змін, а групові ідентичності, що призводять до соціальних змін, можуть виникати як спонтанно, так і сконструюватися зацікавленими сторонами.

‘It’s the organization that is wrong’: Exploring disengagement from organizations through leadership development

This research explores the relationship between participation in leadership development programmes and disengagement from the employing organization. Based on repeated interviews with 10 managers participating in an open leadership development programme, our analysis shows that half of the participants reflected a sense of distancing themselves from how their organizations practiced leadership, and for some, an emotional disengagement with their home organization which we see as analogous to changes in social identity. We problematize the role of management and leadership development programmes with regard to the relationship between organizations and employees. A series of paradoxes are reflected in our critique of this relationship. The most prominent in terms of implications is that a successful management and leadership development programme – recognized by employees and employers – can generate dissatisfaction with the home organization as a consequence of the purpose of the programme: to increase confidence and enhanced agency. This paradox has significant implication to the leadership development industry and we explore these implications.

Educational Status in the Marriage Exchange in Contemporary China

In the late 1970s, Our country restored the college entrance examination system, emphasizing the important role of educational background, and also made it an important resource advantage affecting marriage exchange. However, the enrollment expansion reform of colleges and universities implemented in 2000 has led diploma to a sharp decline in the “glory” and the exchange value in the marriage market. This paper aims to make a brief analysis of the changes in the value of educational status (academic qualifications and diplomas) in marriage exchange during China’s past 40 years, and I will also briefly introduces the exchange characteristics of different genders in the marriage market. Due to the specific social and historical background, many Chinese’s specific social status and identity have played different roles in the marriage exchange relation since the establishment of new China. This has undergone more tortuous changes, reflecting the complex changes of contemporary Chinese society and its impacts on people’s marriage and family life. The paper aims to analyze the corresponding changes of educational status (academic qualification and diploma) in the marriage exchange, which has changed typically before and after the reform and opening up. Through comparative analysis, we can see that the social status and identity changes of the parties and their families in the marriage exchange have a close relationship with a series of formal and informal systems of the state and society in a particular historical period.