Who am I? Identity Reconstruction Following a Major Health-Related Career Shock

The paper explores identity reconstruction in response to a major health- related career shock. In-depth case study and interpretive phenomenological methods are used to allow for deep reflective self-analysis of post-career shock stages. We analyze the identity processes a Chief of Human Resources of a multinational firm experienced after being deprived from his main working abilities as a result of a brain stroke. Our findings propose new coping responses that may allow individuals to escape a diminished work identity: identity shedding and identity implanting. Throughout the paper, we identify post-shock identity stages and processes, and the role of identity internalization and relational recognition as crucial in the reconstruction process.