“I changed, I had to realize that I was wrong”: Identity gap management amidst evolving illness uncertainty

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110482
Author(s):  
Charee M. Thompson ◽  
Sara Babu ◽  
Lynsey K. Romo ◽  
Manuel D. Pulido ◽  
Danni Liao ◽  
...  

Doubt that a family member’s health issues are real, severe, or even possible entwines some of the most challenging aspects of medical, personal, and social uncertainty. Although several studies have examined doubt, this investigation focuses on how doubt evolves and foregrounds the identity implications of uncertainty. Guided by Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), the purpose of this study was to explore the identity gaps people experience as they navigate evolving doubt about a family member’s health and how they manage those identity gaps. We interviewed 33 individuals in the U.S. about a family member’s health issues that they doubted but began to believe. Our analysis uncovered three identity gaps among personal, relational, and enacted layers of identity: personal-enacted, relational-enacted, and personal-relational-enacted identity gaps. Participants managed identity gaps in two primary ways: (a) closing gaps by altering personal, relational, or enacted layers of their own identity; and (b) maintaining identity gaps by putting the locus of responsibility for identity change within their family member’s relational identities. This study offers theoretical implications for CTI as well as practical implications for individuals navigating doubt and evolving illness uncertainty in their family relationships.

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1634-1652
Author(s):  
Jenny L. Crowley ◽  
Laura E. Miller

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., and people with OUD may rely on romantic partners to dyadically cope with their illness. Guided by the communication theory of identity, this study examines the identity tensions experienced by couples managing OUD and how identity negotiations contribute to couples’ efforts to dyadically cope with OUD. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 dyads and 6 individuals ( N = 44), all of whom were in relationships in which at least one partner was managing OUD. Analyses revealed that couples managing OUD experience three types of identity gaps: personal–relational, relational–enacted, and relational–communal identity gaps. These gaps coalesced around a central theme of couple identity paradoxes, which demonstrated the opportunities and potential downsides of dyadically coping with OUD. Findings deepen theoretical understanding of identity negotiation in couples and the role of relational identities in managing illness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 361-374
Author(s):  
Emi Widiyanti ◽  
Ravik Karsidi ◽  
Mahendra Wijaya ◽  
Prahastiwi Utari

AbstractOne of the fundamental problems at the source of youthful reluctance to join the agricultural sector is the issue of identity. Unrealistic and negative views toward agriculture, increasing levels of education, and the existence stimulating opportunities in non-agricultural sectors have resulted in a situation that makes youths question previous assumptions about succession farming. This article discusses the identity gaps experienced by six young Indonesian farmers in developing and maintaining coherent identities within the framework of the communication theory of identity. This theoretical framework is used to explore the identity gaps among the identity layers of these young farmers in the situations they face and to understand the way they seek validation for their identity through self-verification. With the explanation approach, this article focuses on a discussion of how young farmers overcome the tensions they experience arising out of conflicts between expectations and reality. These conflicts show that there are identity gaps that must be negotiated by the youths while building their self-identity as farmers.


2021 ◽  
pp. 216747952110129
Author(s):  
Alaina C. Zanin ◽  
Laura V. Martinez ◽  
Lucy C. Niess

This study employed a turning point analysis to document events that influence the development of athletic identities in female athletes transitioning into high school. All participants ( N = 28), between the ages of 14–15 years old, belonged to a competitive club soccer team located in the southwestern United States. Through an analysis of pre- and post-season interviews and bi-weekly video journal entries, data revealed several fragmenting turning point events related to participants’ athletic identity development. These fragmenting turning points paired with the communication theory of identity (CTI) framework highlighted three identity gaps: (a) athletic-relational, (b) athletic-communal, and (c) athletic-enacted. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed regarding turning points in relation to athletic identity development and gender disparities in sport participation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 01-04
Author(s):  
Robert Skopec

State Department evacuates a number of Americans from the U.S. consulate in Guangzhou, China after they experienced unexplained health issues. A group of U.S. diplomats stationed in China have been brought back to the states after being inflicted by a mystery illness that reportedly resembles the brain injuries previously suffered by staff in Cuba. Heather Nauert, a State Department spokeswoman, said in a statement that the individuals from the U.S. office in Guangzhou were returned home for further evaluation. It was unclear if there was any connection to last year’s situation in Cuba where 24 U.S. government employees experienced a range of ailments after hearing an unusual sound.


Author(s):  
Hongwei Zhu ◽  
Harris Wu

In the wake of the global financial crisis, a pressing need exists for improving investor friendliness, especially the transparency and interoperability of the financial statements of public companies. eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) and XBRL taxonomies can accomplish this objective. In the U.S., the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has mandated that all public companies must file their financial statements using XBRL and the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) taxonomy according to a phased-in schedule. Are the XBRL-based financial statements interoperable? This question is addressed by analyzing all of the annual XBRL financial statements filed to the SEC as of February 26, 2010. On average, 63% of data elements are not comparable between a pair of statements. The incomparability is partly caused by issues related to the GAAP taxonomy and misuse of the taxonomy by companies. The results have practical implications that will help improve the quality of financial data.


Author(s):  
Susheelabai R. Srinivasa ◽  
Sudershan Pasupuleti

This chapter discusses the mental health of Asian Americans, highlighting their growing needs as well as policy-making challenges. There is a stereotypical view of this segment of the U.S. population as being a ‘model minority’. However, they are under-represented in mental-health service utilization due to fear of stigmatization, and, when provided, these services are often culturally insensitive. This paper argues for a more comprehensive approach to Asian Americans’ health issues so that concerns and challenges can be addressed. It also presents sociocultural, institutional, and environmental factors that affect the under-reporting and under-utilization patterns of mental-health services among Asian Americans. The growing incidence of mental-health problems and underutilization are imminent risk factors for the psychological well-being of Asian Americans in the United States.


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