Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research
Purpose – Many aspects of the self are lost as a consequence of having multiple sclerosis (MS). A person's identity can be altered by negative self-concepts, which are associated with poor psychological wellbeing and can lead individuals to reconstruct their sense of self. The Social Identity...
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| Format: | Article |
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Emerald Group Publishing
2014
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34374/ |
| _version_ | 1848794837996797952 |
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| author | Barker, Alex das Nair, Roshan Lincoln, Nadina Hunt, Nigel |
| author_facet | Barker, Alex das Nair, Roshan Lincoln, Nadina Hunt, Nigel |
| author_sort | Barker, Alex |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Purpose
– Many aspects of the self are lost as a consequence of having multiple sclerosis (MS). A person's identity can be altered by negative self-concepts, which are associated with poor psychological wellbeing and can lead individuals to reconstruct their sense of self. The Social Identity Model of Identity Change argues that previously established identities form a basis of continued social support, by providing grounding and connectedness to others to facilitate the establishment of new identities. Family support is a salient factor in adjustment to MS and may enable the establishment of new identities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate identity reconstruction following a diagnosis of MS.
Design/methodology/approach
– A meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature was conducted to examine the relationship between identity change and family identity of people with MS and other family members.
Findings
– In all, 16 studies were identified that examined identity change and the family following a diagnosis of MS. Coping strategies used by people with MS and their wider family groups, affect the reconstruction of people's identity and the adjustment to MS. Receiving support from the family whilst a new identity is constructed can buffer against the negative effects of identity loss.
Practical implications
– The family base is strengthened if MS-related problems in daily life are adapted into the individual and family identity using positive coping styles.
Originality/value
– This review provides an interpretation and explanation for results of previous qualitative studies in this area. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:22:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-34374 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:22:33Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | Emerald Group Publishing |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-343742020-05-04T16:57:42Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34374/ Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research Barker, Alex das Nair, Roshan Lincoln, Nadina Hunt, Nigel Purpose – Many aspects of the self are lost as a consequence of having multiple sclerosis (MS). A person's identity can be altered by negative self-concepts, which are associated with poor psychological wellbeing and can lead individuals to reconstruct their sense of self. The Social Identity Model of Identity Change argues that previously established identities form a basis of continued social support, by providing grounding and connectedness to others to facilitate the establishment of new identities. Family support is a salient factor in adjustment to MS and may enable the establishment of new identities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate identity reconstruction following a diagnosis of MS. Design/methodology/approach – A meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature was conducted to examine the relationship between identity change and family identity of people with MS and other family members. Findings – In all, 16 studies were identified that examined identity change and the family following a diagnosis of MS. Coping strategies used by people with MS and their wider family groups, affect the reconstruction of people's identity and the adjustment to MS. Receiving support from the family whilst a new identity is constructed can buffer against the negative effects of identity loss. Practical implications – The family base is strengthened if MS-related problems in daily life are adapted into the individual and family identity using positive coping styles. Originality/value – This review provides an interpretation and explanation for results of previous qualitative studies in this area. Emerald Group Publishing 2014-11-07 Article PeerReviewed Barker, Alex, das Nair, Roshan, Lincoln, Nadina and Hunt, Nigel (2014) Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research. Social Care and Neurodisability, 5 (4). pp. 256-267. ISSN 2042-874X Social identity Family Qualitative Multiple sclerosis Adjustment Coping http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/SCN-05-2014-0009 doi:10.1108/SCN-05-2014-0009 doi:10.1108/SCN-05-2014-0009 |
| spellingShingle | Social identity Family Qualitative Multiple sclerosis Adjustment Coping Barker, Alex das Nair, Roshan Lincoln, Nadina Hunt, Nigel Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research |
| title | Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research |
| title_full | Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research |
| title_fullStr | Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research |
| title_short | Social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research |
| title_sort | social identity in people with multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research |
| topic | Social identity Family Qualitative Multiple sclerosis Adjustment Coping |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34374/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34374/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/34374/ |