Transforming experiences: Re-conceptualising identities and 'non-normative' childhoods

Phoenix, Ann (2020). Transforming experiences: Re-conceptualising identities and 'non-normative' childhoods. [Data Collection]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive. 10.5255/UKDA-SN-851787

The Transforming Experiences Research project explored the relationships between adults’ childhood experiences and their current and future identities. It aimed to examine the ways in which these childhood experiences have impacted on their identities, and how any such impact is transformed over time.
This is done by examining different paths in which adults from different family backgrounds negotiate their identities as they re-evaluate earlier 'non-normative' experiences. It aims to advance knowledge of the factors that produce adult citizens who are 'unremarkable' in not requiring social work intervention despite having childhood experiences often viewed as non-ideal.

Data description (abstract)

The research aims to contribute to current research and theoretical understandings of how family lives and childhood experiences help to constitute adult lives and to illuminate transnational family practices in ways that will help policy development.
The first two parts of the programme consist of reviews of literature on transnational and multi-ethnic families and on 'experience'. The third part is research on three sets of adults (3 strands) - those who: (1) came from the Caribbean to Britain to re-join their parents in the process of serial migration(N=53); (2) grew up in families of mixed ethnicity(N=41); and (3) sometimes took responsibility for their parents as translators(N=40). The data are predominantly qualitative and psycho-social, in treating psychological and social issues as inextricably linked.

Data creators:

Creator Name	Affiliation	ORCID (as URL)
Phoenix Ann	Institute of Education

Contributors:

Name	Affiliation	ORCID (as URL)
Bauer Elaine	Institute of Education
David-Gill Stephanie	Institute of Education
Box Leandra	Race Equality Foundation

Sponsors:

ESRC

Grant reference:

RES-051-27-0181-A

Topic classification:

Media, communication and language
History
Health
Demography (population, vital statistics and censuses)
Social stratification and groupings
Education
Labour and employment
Society and culture
Psychology

Keywords:

change, childhood expericences, narrative analysis, identities, mixed parentage, language

Project title:

Transforming Experiences: Re-conceptualising identities and 'non-normative' childhoods

Grant holders:

Ann Alison Phoenix

Project dates:

From	To
1 August 2007	28 February 2010

Date published:

25 Mar 2015 18:11

Last modified:

18 Sep 2020 12:47

Coverage and Methodology

Temporal coverage:

From	To
1 January 2007	28 February 2010

Collection period:

Date from:	Date to:
1 January 2007	28 February 2010

Geographical area:

Africa, America, Asia, Australia; Serial migration- all born in the Caribbean;

Country:

United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Australia, United States

Spatial unit:

No Spatial Unit

Data collection method:

The sampling procedure was purposive, interview participants were theoretically sampled, recruited through a combination of advertising, community organizations, electronic and physical notice boards and snowballing. Most interviews were held in a range of locations in southern England, Australia, Italy, Sweden and the USA. The final sample was recruited from varied backgrounds, including in terms of educational backgrounds, employment, ethnicised and language groups.
Seven focus groups were conducted with 5-12 participants after feedback sessions. A further focus group was held in Los Angeles. Group discussions helped the identification of ‘well-worn’ stories and canonical narratives and to highlight areas of consensus, conflict and negotiation.
The total sample size counts 134 individuals and 7 groups.
Collection files are divided into 3 strands(Individual Interviews and Group Discussions): 62 (Strand1), 40(Strand2) and 42(Strand3).
Towards the end of the study, 7 feedback meetings were conducted with members of the sample, followed by focus groups with participants that allowed them to engage with the findings and discuss their analytic understanding of their experiences.
The project drew on established networks and relationships with research users, including the project advisory group of practitioners and academics.

Observation unit:

Individual, Household

Kind of data:

Text

Type of data:

Qualitative and mixed methods data

Resource language:

English

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