"Who am I?" How Female Care Leavers Construct and Make Sense of Their Identity

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3405895
AutoresAlicia K Colbridge (Canterbury Christ Church University), Alex Hassett (0000-0002-9905-1056, Canterbury Christ Church University, autor correspondente), Emma Sisley (Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, Dartford, UK), Emma K Sisley (0000-0001-8721-3348, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust)
Ano2017
Volume7
Fascículo1
Páginas215824401668491
Data de publicação2017-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/2158244016684913
OpenAlexW2568559271
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas17
Referências citadas33

Identity formation may be more complex for those who have been in foster care in the face of childhood abuse, difficult relationships, unstable environments, and multiple care contexts but this does not imply there is anything pathological about it. Given the higher levels of mental health difficulties in looked after children and the known role identity has in mental health, whether as a risk or a protective factor, it seems clinically significant to investigate what factors help construct or hinder the formation of identity for those who have been in care. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyze semistructured interviews of eight female care leavers about the understanding of their identity development. Three superordinate themes emerged which encapsulated participants' identity development. These included Construction of Identity-How I Became Me, Understanding of Identity-Who am I, and Experience of Identity-How My Identity Plays Out. Participants' construction of identity can be understood in the context of early adverse environments and developmental trauma. This construction of self, in turn, mediates how participants understand and experience their identity. Findings were discussed in relation to previous research, and limitations were outlined. Implications for future research included giving fuller consideration to the role of developmental trauma in identity formation. Clinical implications encourage understanding of looked after children and care leavers in the context of developmental trauma, rather than focusing on symptoms of various diagnoses

Developmental psychology · Erikson's stages of psychosocial development · Identity formation · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Mental health · Psychology of self · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Self-concept · Social group · Social identity approach · Social identity theory · Sociology · Superordinate goals · Child Abuse and Trauma · Child Welfare and Adoption · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Psychology · Social Psychology