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Learning to manage a mental health condition: Caring for the self and ‘normalizing’ identity at work

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

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Learning to manage a mental health condition: Caring for the self and ‘normalizing’ identity at work. / Elraz, Hadar; Knights, David.
In: Management Learning, Vol. 52, No. 4, 01.09.2021, p. 466-484.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Harvard

Elraz, H & Knights, D 2021, 'Learning to manage a mental health condition: Caring for the self and ‘normalizing’ identity at work', Management Learning, vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 466-484. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505076211006618

APA

Elraz, H., & Knights, D. (2021). Learning to manage a mental health condition: Caring for the self and ‘normalizing’ identity at work. Management Learning, 52(4), 466-484. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505076211006618

Vancouver

Elraz H, Knights D. Learning to manage a mental health condition: Caring for the self and ‘normalizing’ identity at work. Management Learning. 2021 Sept 1;52(4):466-484. Epub 2021 Apr 22. doi: 10.1177/13505076211006618

Author

Elraz, Hadar ; Knights, David. / Learning to manage a mental health condition: Caring for the self and ‘normalizing’ identity at work. In: Management Learning. 2021 ; Vol. 52, No. 4. pp. 466-484.

Bibtex

@article{951df23e7815411781cfefcf60e6f27d,
title = "Learning to manage a mental health condition: Caring for the self and {\textquoteleft}normalizing{\textquoteright} identity at work",
abstract = "This article examines the internal and external pressures to {\textquoteleft}normalize{\textquoteright} identity in relation to individuals experiencing mental health conditions (MHCs) at work. The data takes the form of three vignettes extracted from a larger empirical study of 60 interviews. These explore the tensions surrounding identity for individuals experiencing MHCs as well as their interventions to suppress exhibiting the condition. The analysis captures a number of competing meanings surrounding identity in relation to learning to care for the self and managing MHCs. Our contribution is to explore the relationships between learning to care for the self and the performativity of {\textquoteleft}normalizing{\textquoteright} identity in managing MHCs at work. It also provides a potential means of integrating Foucault{\textquoteright}s ethics of caring for the self with the literature on identity in ways that can be illuminating for those who manage their MHCs and the demands of work through processes of {\textquoteleft}normalization{\textquoteright}. This analysis offers theoretical insights regarding how identity work may be self-defeating in exacerbating MHCs and therefore is of some practical benefit for managers, health professionals and those experiencing MHCs since they often leave individuals with little choice but to intensify their attempts to {\textquoteleft}normalize{\textquoteright} their identities.",
keywords = "Care for the self, identity, mental health, performativity, reflexivity, self-management",
author = "Hadar Elraz and David Knights",
year = "2021",
month = sep,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1177/13505076211006618",
language = "English",
volume = "52",
pages = "466--484",
journal = "Management Learning",
issn = "1350-5076",
publisher = "SAGE Publications Ltd",
number = "4",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Learning to manage a mental health condition: Caring for the self and ‘normalizing’ identity at work

AU - Elraz, Hadar

AU - Knights, David

PY - 2021/9/1

Y1 - 2021/9/1

N2 - This article examines the internal and external pressures to ‘normalize’ identity in relation to individuals experiencing mental health conditions (MHCs) at work. The data takes the form of three vignettes extracted from a larger empirical study of 60 interviews. These explore the tensions surrounding identity for individuals experiencing MHCs as well as their interventions to suppress exhibiting the condition. The analysis captures a number of competing meanings surrounding identity in relation to learning to care for the self and managing MHCs. Our contribution is to explore the relationships between learning to care for the self and the performativity of ‘normalizing’ identity in managing MHCs at work. It also provides a potential means of integrating Foucault’s ethics of caring for the self with the literature on identity in ways that can be illuminating for those who manage their MHCs and the demands of work through processes of ‘normalization’. This analysis offers theoretical insights regarding how identity work may be self-defeating in exacerbating MHCs and therefore is of some practical benefit for managers, health professionals and those experiencing MHCs since they often leave individuals with little choice but to intensify their attempts to ‘normalize’ their identities.

AB - This article examines the internal and external pressures to ‘normalize’ identity in relation to individuals experiencing mental health conditions (MHCs) at work. The data takes the form of three vignettes extracted from a larger empirical study of 60 interviews. These explore the tensions surrounding identity for individuals experiencing MHCs as well as their interventions to suppress exhibiting the condition. The analysis captures a number of competing meanings surrounding identity in relation to learning to care for the self and managing MHCs. Our contribution is to explore the relationships between learning to care for the self and the performativity of ‘normalizing’ identity in managing MHCs at work. It also provides a potential means of integrating Foucault’s ethics of caring for the self with the literature on identity in ways that can be illuminating for those who manage their MHCs and the demands of work through processes of ‘normalization’. This analysis offers theoretical insights regarding how identity work may be self-defeating in exacerbating MHCs and therefore is of some practical benefit for managers, health professionals and those experiencing MHCs since they often leave individuals with little choice but to intensify their attempts to ‘normalize’ their identities.

KW - Care for the self

KW - identity

KW - mental health

KW - performativity

KW - reflexivity

KW - self-management

U2 - 10.1177/13505076211006618

DO - 10.1177/13505076211006618

M3 - Journal article

VL - 52

SP - 466

EP - 484

JO - Management Learning

JF - Management Learning

SN - 1350-5076

IS - 4

ER -