Identity in Early Adulthood - Aspects of Romantic Relationships and Occupation
Abstract: The overall aim of this licentiate thesis was to broaden the understanding of identity in early adulthood, with a focus on aspects of romantic relationships and occupation in the Swedish cultural context. Study I explored romantic identity among 12 early adults (Mage = 33.3) who were in long-term relationships but did not select their partner as the most important person to them when they needed love and support. A thematic analysis of their answers in interviews about romantic relationships resulted in three main themes: Distancing attitudes toward romantic relationships, Desirable aspects of romantic relationships, and Not thinking about romantic relationships. The results showed that these early adults’ reflections on romantic relationships were characterized by ambivalence, a strive toward independence, and relating to their partner as a person to have fun with rather than someone to share a deep connection with. Participants also expressed disagreement with what they perceived as norms concerning romantic relationships in Swedish society. Study II investigated how change is manifested in repeated narratives by examining how narratives about occupational identity were repeated and changed over three interview occasions, at ages 25, 29, and 33 (N = 59). The results showed how participants elaborated their repeated narratives about occupational identity by adding content about gained insights, transformed views, and increased agency. Participants also added content to accentuate their competence and to show how their motivation for their present occupation had increased. In sum, this licentiate thesis on early adulthood highlights the complex and continuously changing aspects of love and work, and their importance for a person’s identity at this time of life.
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