Emotional Crisis as a Factor in Identity Formation

College of Mental Health Counselling

Emotional Crisis as a Factor in Identity Formation

by Daniel Keeran, MSW

www.ctihalifax.com

Emotional Crisis as a Factor in Identity Formation from the College of Mental Health Counselling

by Daniel Keeran, MSW A window to the formation of personal identity is the experience of personal crisis. This window may open following or during grief over a significant loss or anticipated loss and grief over the death of a significant other, parental divorce or abandonment, or after a moral compromise, or other trauma in which the sense of personal identity is challenged. The following describe circumstances that leave the individual most vulnerable to Identity Re-Formation: 1. loss of parental caring or closeness by either parent 2. loss of significant other by divorce or death 3. anticipated death of self or significant others 4. the normal vulnerability of childhood development 5. the emotional crisis of adolescent development 6. a loss of spiritual beliefs resulting from or reinforced by a moral compromise A combination of the above circumstances can exacerbate the crisis, leaving the individual increasingly vulnerable and having a greater window for identity re-formation.

This emotional-crisis vulnerability has been structured and exploited by religious cult groups and political organizations through brainwashing by using sleep and caloric deprivation. The crisis leaves a void or confusion about meaning and purpose. During this period, an individual is most open to a new meaning or identity.

Once the identity is set, confrontation re-programming may create a different window of confusion or vulnerability and the establishment of a new or restored identity especially by influencers who are proficient in articulating the different identity combined with communicating acceptance and caring toward the person in crisis.

The claims and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, introduced an identity crisis or challenge resulting in his own rejection and death, as observed in his challenge directed at the Pharisees. Identity defines the self to the extent that challenges are often met with argumentation, anger, and even physical assault and death. The identity challenge is experienced as a threat to survival itself.

The teachings of Jesus continue to define a unique identity by elevating nonviolent love above anger and vengeance, and redefining or reversing the value of rich and poor. His claims of deity introduce a challenge to the personal identity of every individual who must decide whether to follow Jesus of Nazareth and assume the identity of a Christian.

Is there a tendency among identified followers to customize or compromise their Christian identity?

Claims of Jesus of Nazareth