Who We Are as Parents: Parental Identity and Well-Being Across Cultures

Mariana Pinho, Enrickson Varsori, Ruth Gaunt, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Lusófona University, CECS - Communication and Society Research Centre, University of Minho, School of Psychology, University of Lincoln

Journal of Family Issues

Published online on June 29, 2026

Abstract

Journal of Family Issues, Ahead of Print.
Drawing on identity theory and self-complexity theory, this study examines whether parental identity centrality helps explain cross-national and gendered variation in parents’ subjective well-being. Using nationally representative data from the UK and ...