Becoming a self through occupation: Occupation as a source of self-continuity in identity formation. Issue 4 (2nd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maersk, Jesper Larsen
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational science. Volume 28:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 469
• Page End: 478
• Publication Date: 2021-10-02
• Subjects: Occupational science -- Continuity -- Identity -- Occupation -- Self; Sciences de l'occupation -- continuité -- identité -- occupation -- soi; Work -- Periodicals; Occupations -- Sociological aspects -- Periodicals; Occupational therapy -- Periodicals; 306.3605
• DOI: 10.1080/14427591.2020.1861972
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1442-7591

Abstract

ABSTRACT: For the past 20 years, occupational science researchers have been occupied with the relationship of occupation and identity formation. While this research has led to a diverse and rich body of literature, little attention has been paid to the processes underpinning identity formation through occupation. Within the broader identity literature, self-continuity has been identified as an identity process essential to the foundation of being and the development of a core self. Based on an assemblage of theories positioned in psychodynamic theory, personality psychology, and narrative theory, I present a theoretical construct that describes occupation as a source of self-continuity in identity formation 1) in the 'now' of occupational experience, and 2) through the telling and enactment of occupations in narrative configurations.