Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
13.5K
Work identity development in young adults with mental health problems
Ulrika Liljeholm1, Ulrika Bejerholm1
1Department of Health Sciences/Mental Health, Activity and Participation, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
|July 13, 2019
Summary
Starting work helps young adults with mental health issues develop a positive work identity. This journey fosters personal recovery and improves self-efficacy, offering new life directions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Occupational Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Employment significantly shapes self-identity, particularly for young adults.
- Mental health challenges complicate labor market entry for young adults, increasing marginalization risks.
- Work engagement can be a crucial element in the personal recovery of individuals with mental health conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the experiences of young adults with mental health problems as they begin working.
- To focus on the developmental process of establishing a work identity in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A grounded theory approach was employed for this qualitative study.
- Data were gathered through 13 in-depth interviews.
- Participants were young adults aged 19-26 with mental health problems, employed for at least three months.
Main Results:
- Beginning work initiated internal and external changes, fostering new emotions and perspectives.
- Participants experienced shifts from negative to positive thought patterns and developed new occupational roles.
- Enhanced self-efficacy and altered self-perceptions of abilities were observed, contributing to a developing work identity.
Conclusions:
- Supporting the development of work identity holds therapeutic value.
- Empowering work identity development can significantly aid the personal recovery process for young adults with mental health challenges.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Stress and Mental Health
843
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
843
01:25Personal Identity
325
Personal identity is the deeply felt sense of self that individuals cultivate over time, intricately woven from intrinsic qualities they consider essential to their existence—qualities such as morality, intelligence, and friendliness. These attributes serve as vital internal benchmarks, guiding individuals in evaluating whether their actions resonate with their true selves.When personal identity takes center stage in one's life, individuals often emphasize their distinctiveness,...
325
01:29Social Identity
258
Social identity constitutes a significant aspect of an individual’s self-concept, shaped by membership in various social groups, including gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Individuals associate specific traits with particular social groups, leading to internalization of these traits. For example, musicians are often perceived as creative, while women are frequently associated with nurturing tendencies. Once individuals identify with a...
258
01:26Marcia's Theory of Identity Status
1.5K
James Marcia's identity status model provides a framework for understanding how adolescents navigate identity formation through varying degrees of exploration and commitment. Marcia's model builds on Erik Erikson's theories of psychosocial development, focusing specifically on how adolescents reconcile individual aspirations with societal expectations. His model describes identity formation as a dynamic process where adolescents move between different states depending on their level...
1.5K
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder
780
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
780
01:21Role-Based Identity
183
Role-based identities are central to understanding how individuals navigate social environments by adopting distinct self-conceptions aligned with various societal roles. These identities are not fixed traits but are constructed through personal actions and the social feedback individuals receive in context-specific interactions. Each social role, such as student, teacher, or friend, carries a set of expectations and norms that influence how people think, feel, and behave within that...
183