The experience of managing liminality: a portfolio of research and therapeutic practice

This portfolio explores the experience of managing living in liminality, and ensuing inter- and intrapersonal processes. The first section is an empirical study entitled “Exploring the experience of relationships and identity in adult women living in the UK with a background of high Childhood Residential Mobility”. Due to increased globalisation, individuals are experiencing increased likelihood of moving as children, and there is a paucity of methodologically sound research into how this is experienced in adulthood, especially in non-American populations. As gender differences have been suggested regarding identity and relationship formation, this study included only women. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), main findings suggest this population develop an incongruent social self and fluid identity to manage changing social landscapes, resulting in an inconsistent identity which subsequently precludes the development of emotional depth in interpersonal relationships. Additionally, results suggest this population struggle to know where ‘home’ is, having felt ‘orphaned’ by both passport and host countries, and subsequently internalise the identity of ‘traveller’ which further challenges their ability to settle and develop roots. The professional component is entitled, “An Integrative Approach to Depression: A Case Study”, which presents clinical work conducted with a man with a history of drug abuse. Therapy focused on supporting him to develop an internal locus of evaluation, and explore his identity post drug use. The final section is a publishable piece focusing on one superordinate theme, “Managing the Self in Relation to the Other”, and is presented using guidelines for submission to the British Journal of Psychology.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

other

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

City University London

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Nakan, Carrie

• BF Psychology