Identity: An International Journal of Theory and Research

The formation of an adaptive identity, at personal and social levels, can be a complex and often difficult endeavor. Identities are multilayered and there are multiple internal and external sources of influence that impact how identities are (re)constructed and maintained. Hence, identity interventions are important and sometimes imperative to facilitate adaptive and healthy identity formation, by targeting positive and negative sources of influence.

This special issue aims to bring together contributions that focus on the development, implementation, and evaluation of identity interventions. Studies that use multiple assessments to appraise the efficacy and effectiveness of the intervention and employ a control group are strongly encouraged. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method intervention designs are welcome, using a variety of theoretical frameworks. The following set of questions and challenges are intended to be addressed in this special issue:

• How can identity be operationalized from an intervention perspective?
• How can identity interventions be designed to best capture identity processes and contents?
• How can change be elicited through the development of an identity intervention?
• Which identity domains (e.g., education, career, relationships, mental health, spirituality, ethnicity) can be targeted through interventions?
• Which internal and external sources of influence for identity formation need to be measured before and after implementing an identity intervention?
• How can identity change and maintenance be tackled through quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method intervention designs?

Submissions can fall into one of these categories:

(1) Original empirical articles presenting one or more empirical intervention studies (detailed information on identity design, implementation, evaluation, and results must be reported in the proposal)

(2) Theoretical articles advancing the understanding of identity intervention research and providing a foundation for hypothesis testing: Contributions of this category are welcomed, focusing on descriptions of empirical assessments and methods that can be used to investigate the theoretical assumptions.

(3) Methodological articles discussing best practices of ways to develop, implement, and evaluate identity interventions.

(4) Systematic reviews and meta-analyses summarizing evidence regarding the effectiveness of available identity interventions

For more detailed instructions about these types of submission see Instruction for Authors

Timeline and Submission Process

• October 15, 2023: Deadline for proposal submission. Interested authors can submit a proposal (maximum 700 words) that describes the paper they intend to submit. Proposals must be submitted to Identity through the Submission Portal (https://accounts.taylorfrancis.com/identity/), accessible via the journal webpage by navigating to the ‘Submit a manuscript’ tab. Authors should complete the step-by-step submission process, indicating that their proposal is for the special issue “Identity Interventions.”
• November 15, 2023: Guest Editors’ decision/feedback regarding invitations for full manuscript submission sent to authors.
• February 28, 2024: Full manuscript submission deadline. Invited full manuscripts should be prepared in accordance with the journal’s author guidelines and submitted through the journal’s submission portal. All submitted papers will undergo a regular peer review process. An invitation to submit a full paper is, thus, not a guarantee of acceptance.

Instructions for AuthorsSubmit an Article