京都大学 大学院経済学研究科・経済学部

Title：　"When Identity Work Falls Short: Persisting Identity Dilemmas Resulting in Negative Emotions"

Abstract:　Identity research predominantly suggests that individuals can successfully apply identity work strategies to resolve identity conflicts. However, such studies rarely consider the impact of external constraints on identity work and its outcomes in the longer run. This qualitative study explores how individuals engage in identity work under severe societal constraints and how they feel about their chosen identity work strategies in the longer term. Drawing on 125 in-depth interviews with Japanese career women facing incompatible expectations for their roles in their professional and private lives, we show how this dilemma leads to emotionally draining identity conflicts, prompting women to adopt one of two identity work strategies: withdrawal or balancing. While these strategies partly resolve incompatible external role expectations, they fail to diminish internalized dilemmas in the longer run, resulting in persisting negative emotions, such as regret, frustration or guilt. Our study contributes to research on identity work by demonstrating that in the longer run identity work is not necessarily successful. We suggest that in such situations, transformative changes in cultural and institutional settings are required to allow individuals to reconcile their conflicting identities.

Keywords: role expectations, identity conflict, identity work strategies, emotions

If you would like to participate in this seminar, please register using the form below.
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Deadline is October 4th, 23:59, the day before the seminar.