People who have more than one identity may feel divided or conflicted about their self-concept, which can lead to difficulties managing attachments in romantic or family relationships. Attachment is an important aspect of human development that involves forming strong bonds with others through emotional connection, trust, and reliance on support systems. When people experience disruptions or discontinuities in their identities, they may struggle to maintain healthy attachments due to feelings of anxiety or confusion about how to present themselves authentically. This study explores the long-term effects of dual identity management on attachment, relational satisfaction, and emotional wellbeing.
Dual identity refers to having multiple identities that are distinct from each other but related in some way.
Someone might identify as both queer and Latina/o, or as an immigrant and American citizen. Duality can be a source of strength and empowerment for many individuals, allowing them to access different social networks, perspectives, and resources depending on context.
It also creates challenges when it comes to navigating close relationships, as partners may not understand or appreciate all aspects of a person's identity.
Relationships
In romantic relationships, the ability to share intimate details about oneself is essential for developing closeness and trust. When people hide parts of themselves out of fear of rejection or misunderstanding, they risk losing their partner's interest or feeling isolated within the relationship. Dual identity management can make this process more complicated by requiring constant negotiation between two (or more) identities, which may lead to frustration or resentment if one party feels ignored or unheard.
Individuals who have experienced trauma or discrimination based on their marginalized identities may feel pressure to "pass" as a dominant group in order to protect themselves or their loved ones, further complicating the attachment dynamic.
Emotional Wellbeing
When individuals struggle with managing attachments due to complex identities, they may experience feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder. This can manifest physically through symptoms such as high blood pressure, heart palpitations, or digestive problems. Long-term effects include difficulties in maintaining healthy relationships, decreased self-esteem, and lowered life satisfaction overall.
These struggles can become chronic and lead to additional mental health concerns such as suicidal thoughts or substance abuse.
What are the long-term effects of dual identity management on attachment, relational satisfaction, and emotional wellbeing?
While there is limited research on the long-term effects of dual identity management on attachment, relational satisfaction, and emotional wellbeing, existing studies suggest that individuals who engage in this phenomenon may experience challenges related to intimacy and closeness in their relationships (Bhugra & Minocha, 2018). This can be particularly true for individuals from marginalized groups who feel pressure to navigate between different cultural identities and expectations.