This volume celebrates identity theory as a leading framework that organizes research on identities across a wide swath of disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, political science, criminology, social work, and education. It positions identity as not merely an abstract concept studied in a vacuum; but rather, as a foundational aspect of our lives that are developed, maintained, and negotiated in real, day-to-day social contexts, and that carry very real implications for health, well-being, future aspirations, and realized successes in a variety of social arenas. Featuring original, empirical work from senior, mid-career, and junior scholars, this volume presents new and cutting-edge developments in identity theory that advance research in the context of higher education, rural communities, political engagement, police-citizen interactions, racial/ethnic minorities, and patients in healthcare settings. Other topics covered include identity development, identity maintenance and negotiation, mental health and wellbeing, and aspirations and success expectations. Many chapters feature continued measurement improvements and/or bridges to other theories.

The volume highlights the practical, applied utility of identity research for understanding and contributing to solutions for contemporary social problems. It is essential reading for researchers, academics, and graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in the relationship between identities and social problems and who seek to stay apprised of new and emerging emphases within the identity theory research community.

Emphasizes the practical, applied utility of identity theory to a wide range of social contexts Compiles the newest cutting-edge developments in identity theory Features recent emerging research emphases in the identity theory research community

Autorentext

Kelly L. Markowski is a Senior Research Consultant in The Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center at The Ohio State University. Her personal research focuses on: bridging identity theory with social network analysis; clarifying the conditions under which identities are beneficial for wellbeing; improving the measurement of identity theory concepts; and applying identity theory to the context of veganism.

Michael M. Harrod is a Professor of Sociology at Sciences at Central Washington University. He is a sociological social psychologist. His work focuses on trying to refine and extend identity theory. His recent work has focused on exploring how self-attributions influence the identity process and understanding of how one’s social position influences the identity process.

Philip S. Brenner is an independent researcher most recently on the faculty of Utrecht University in the Netherlands. His research has focused on the measurement of identities and the influence of normative and socially desirable identities on survey measurement and their contributions to total survey error.

Inhalt

Section 1 Introduction. - Overview of Identities in Context.- Section 2 Theory and Measurement. - Crossing Boundaries: Connecting Bowen Theory and Identity Theory to Explore the Self.- Identity Theory and Social Identity Theory: An Empirical Examination.- Do Tell!: Reassessing Behavioral ('Do') and Verbal ('Tell') Measures of Identity Salience In Friend, Parent, and Religion Identities.- Section 3 Contextualized Identities. - Identity Development and Maintenance.- Rural Place-Based Identity: Insight on the Factors that Contribute to and Detract from Rural Place Identity Development.- Ethnic-Racial Socialization, Identity Verification, and Self-Worth among White Young Adults.- Identity Avoidance and Political Partisanship.- The Authority Identity and Interaction.- Combined Identities: Leveraging Student Veterans to Provide Insight into Multiple Active Identities.- Student Identity Centrality and Educational Expectations of Students with Disability in Australia.- Negotiated Meanings of Mother and Scholar During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The 'New' Mother scholar Identity: Implications for Work and Family in Higher Education.- Core Counter-Roles: Mentorship Trajectories on Marginalized Racial/Ethnic Minority STEM Students' Persistence Intentions.- Mental Health and Health Care.- Exploring the Relationship Between Identity Verification and Mental Health Conditions Among Historical Marginalized Students.- How Do Experiences of Discrimination and Withdrawal Related to Counter Normative Identities Impact Psychological Well-Being?.- When Keeping It Real Goes Right.- I am a Patient: How Identity Prominence and Salience Impact Patient Satisfaction.- Section 4 Conclusion .- Future Directions for Research on Identities in Context.