Types of relations between national identity and global identity and their associated factors: A scoping review

Abstract

In an increasingly globalized world, individuals need to navigate between national and global identities. Yet, there is limited understanding of the different types of relations between these two types of identities that individuals can hold simultaneously. The present study addresses this need through a scoping review that summarizes the types of relations and associated factors, which are critical to guide research and practice in balancing national and global identities for individuals to thrive in both their nations and globalized societies. The present scoping review included 45 eligible empirical studies and identified 10 distinct types of relations between national and global identities. The associations between nations/regions, participants’ developmental periods and genders, perturbation factors (changes in participants’ contexts), and types of relations were summarized. Explanations for the types of relations in the reviewed studies were also summarized. In most regions of the world, participants’ national and global identities were negatively associated with each other, with national identity is prioritized. Adolescents and emerging adults tended to prioritize national identity, whereas adults’ national and global identities tended to increase or decrease simultaneously. Females were more likely to exhibit a balanced emphasis of both identities than males. Perturbation factors at the individual, country, between-country, and global levels each related to the types of relations in distinct ways. These factors also overlapped with rationales provided in the reviewed studies. Suggestions for future researchers and practitioners were offered to address gaps identified in the reviewed studies.