Navigating Identity Tides: Perceived Identity Threats and Coping Strategies Among Bicultural Hong Kong Citizens

This study examines the perceived identity threats among Hong Kong citizens and their coping strategies in relation to their level of Bicultural Identity Integration (BII). By analyzing the interplay between perceived threats and coping strategies within Hong Kong’s unique sociopolitical landscape, the study provides valuable insights into how individuals with varying levels of BII respond to identity challenges. Using Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA), we found that individuals with low BII, compared to those with high BII, made significantly different connections among perceived identity threats and coping strategies. Specifically, when faced with various identity threats, low BII participants were more likely to employ homesteading and denial, while high BII participants tended to adopt strategies such as accepting social flaws and making their identities prominent. From the content analysis, we delved deeper into understanding the meaning of these associations. Future studies could benefit from a longitudinal design to better capture the fluidity and complexity of identity integration.