Disclosure, Discrimination, and Identity among Working Professionals with Bipolar Disorder or Major Depression

This chapter presents the results of an analysis of in-depth interviews with a snowball sample of 45 people who identified as working professionals diagnosed with bipolar disorder or major depression. It explores three dimensions of their experience: disclosure versus concealment of their diagnosis on the job, exposure to discrimination in the workplace based on their mental illness diagnosis, and identity strategies they used to manage the status inconsistency between being a professional and having a mental illness diagnosis. The findings reveal how people learn to calculate when it is safe to disclose their diagnosis on the job, especially after experiencing discriminatory treatment such as being fired or demoted. They also indicate that applying for workplace modifications to accommodate symptoms of mental illness may be met with unprofessional and unsupportive reactions on the part of managers, Human Resources professionals, and coworkers, which could explain in part why so few participants in this sample sought them. When it comes to balancing inconsistent statuses, the findings demonstrate how people distance themselves from their mental illness identity in favor of the more prized status of working professional as a means of self-preservation. The chapter concludes with a call for sweeping changes in workplace culture to minimize fear and shame and maximize inclusion of people diagnosed with mental illness, allowing them to flourish in careers in which they may realize their full potential.

Place Identity Strategies at University Constructed by Minority Arab-Israeli Student Groups

The study examines the place identity of minority group Arab-Israeli students studying at a campus affiliated with the Israeli hegemonic majority, against the backdrop of the enduring Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The study analyzes place identity construction strategies utilized by these students, and the formation patterns of the new place identity reflected in everyday campus life. Subjective experiences of students were revealed through the ethnographic and qualitative phenomenological methodology and in-depth interviews. From the findings, it became apparent that life under conditions of ongoing ethnic–political conflict forces minority groups to develop strategies regarding their place identity. These strategies are fluidly employed depending on the specific context of time and place. Four place identity strategies were identified: overt, borrowed, avoidant, and ideological. Key factors contributing to the construction of each strategy were discovered: rooted place identity; gender expectations, and proactive or passive attitude to place. Implementation tactics such as individual versus collective approaches, distancing from other groups, and the flow between multiple identities were also uncovered. The study asserts that the strategies, tactics, and key factors revealed in the research contribute to place identity theory and will enrich other place identity studies of minority groups and communities in fluid contexts. Expanding theoretical discourse with respect to the strategies and tactics of place identity could promote the opportunity for integration and coexistence.

Stosunki czesko-ormiańskie

Czech-Armenians relations: a brief historical survey Armenian studies in Czech Republic became more widely known toCzech public in recent years. Following up the long tradition of Oriental studies ingeneral, a newly re-established research centre was opened at the Department ofEast-European Studies at Charles University, aiming to cooperate with other colleagues.After long and heated discussions, Czech Republic decided on (albeit nonofficial) recognition of Armenian Genocide and supports initiatives to prevent suchviolence in future. Several monographs dealing with this subject were published recently.And finally, despite the fact that the Czech Republic has no historical experience with the presence of Armenian diaspora before the year 1990, well establishedand coherent Armenian community exists here now and – especially in Prague –shows a high degree of integration into Czech majority. Already two generations ofCzech Armenians are following their identity strategies while preserving their owncultural identity.

Constructing of the narcissistic artistic character in the autobiography of Salvador Dali: Salvador Dali with an insight into the painting metamorphosis of narcissus, and the Dali museum/bequests

By applying the methodology of transdisciplinary studies, this work examines the phenomenon of Narcissism and narcissistic artistic character in the autobiography of Salvador Dali "I am the genius" (The Secret World of Salvador Dali), in the paining "The Metamorphosis of Narcissus", and in Dali's original poetry through the prisms of mythology, psychoanalysis and psychosexuality by constructing of the narcissistic character (artistic "Persona") as a model for identity strategies in contemporary art practices. The text is analysing some of Dali's unique personality characteristics and creative and personal expression, with a special insight into his childhood and the term of narcissistic personality structure according to Sigmund Freud, also analysing the key-role of Gala Dali. The text includes some postulates of the art movement of Surrealism that Dali applied in his work, from the "Surrealism Manifesto" and the Surrealism practices. In a case study, the text analyses the painting "Metamorphosis of Narcissus", its content, symbolism, style and visual elements. A possible influence of Sigmund Freud is described, and Dali's original method of "Critical Paranoia" is elaborated. The closing sections are describing the fascinating dimensions of the personality cult that Dali and his narcissistic character reached in the last years of his life. A special focus is made on the musealisation of Dali - his numerous museums and bequests, memorials and collections, the founding of which has contributed to the building of a permanent monument to the artist and finally to the establishment of his status of a mythical personality - the "Dali" brand.

The Impact of Curiosity on Counselors’ Social Justice Identity

The role of counselors has expanded to emphasize social justice principles and community action, encouraging social justice to become infused with counselor’s professional identity. As a result, counselor educators are examining strategies for promoting the social justice identity of students and new professionals. Curiosity has been positioned as theoretically related to the concept of social justice. The current study investigated the relationship between counselor curiosity with social justice identity across three domains (self-efficacy, interest, and commitment) in a sample of 124 counselors and counselor trainees. Results indicated that three types of curiosity (specific, diversive, and competence) predicted each domain of social justice identity. Strategies to incorporate counselor curiosity into social justice pedagogy are discussed.

Fostering European Identity

Over recent years, the concept of ‘European identity’ has received increasing scholarly attention. Despite this progress, political initiatives to foster a shared feeling of Europeanness still appear to be designed largely ad hoc. This contribution aims at providing a link between the existing state of knowledge and policy approaches to promote European identity. With a target group perspective, we develop a classification of measures to promote European identity. This classification is based on the distinctions between a ‘civic’ and a ‘cultural’ European identity. Within this framework, we assess seven proposals: transnational party lists for the European Parliament, an EU Citizens’ Assembly, EU consular offices, a Pensioners’ Erasmus, a ‘European Waltz’ program, an EU public service broadcaster, and a European bank holiday. We conclude that current identity strategies suffer from too narrow target groups that already tend to have a European perspective.