An Identity Process Theory Account of the Impact of Boarding School on Sense of Self and Mental Health
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15440443 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Frances Simpson (University of Derby, corresponding author), Melanie Haughton (0000-0001-5662-3547, University of Derby), William Van Gordon (0000-0002-5648-3043, University of Derby) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 2116-2133 |
| Publication date | 2021-03-08 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1557-1874 • E-ISSN: 1557-1882 |
| Publisher | Springer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s11469-021-00503-4 |
| OpenAlex | W3135201917 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 24 |
Boarding schools exist to provide education for children, but this involves the child leaving the family home and residing in an educational institution. Identity Process Theory suggests that such a change in circumstances can threaten the child’s identity, which triggers coping strategies and impacts on the individual’s self-concept during both childhood and adulthood. This study undertook an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with five adults who boarded as children. The focus was on exploring participants’ beliefs in terms of how the boarding experience affected their sense of self. Emerging themes relate to the (i) coping strategies used by participants during childhood, such as amnesia, compartmentalising, compliance and acceptance, and (ii) long-term effects of boarding on identity, self-concept and intimate relationships. Findings also highlight the interplay of factors such as privilege and social class, which were reported as motives for participants’ parents choosing boarding for their children. The study raises important questions about the long-term health impacts of sending children away to board
Coping (psychology · Developmental psychology · Health psychology · Identity (music · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Mental health · Psychology of self · Psychotherapist · Public health · Qualitative research · Sociology · Clinical Psychology · Family and Disability Support Research · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology
Concepts of the Self
Coping with Threatened Identities
Bullying in School
Interpretative phenomenological analysis
Indian Boarding School Experience, Substance Use, and Mental Health among Urban Two-Spirit American Indian/Alaska Natives
What does it mean to be a donor offspring? The identity experiences of adults conceived by donor insemination and the implications for counselling and therapy
Betrayal Trauma
The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
The Study of Adolescent Identity Formation 2000–2010
Research Methods in Clinical Psychology
Asylums
| Citations per year | 0.67 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2025 (3) |
| Highly cited | No |