ABSTRACT Aim To examine the potential value of identity theory as a framework for analysing professional identity in mental health nursing, using published historical and professional literature relating to the transition from psychiatric hospital to community care in England between 1980 and 2000. Background Professional identity shapes nurses' role performance, resilience and job satisfaction. Mental health nursing identity is particularly sensitive to organisational and policy change. Identity theory offers a structured model for understanding how role identities are formed, verified and challenged in changing practice environments. Method A theory‐informed document analysis of published historical, policy and professional literature relating to mental health nursing between 1980 and 2000 was undertaken. Key concepts from identity theory were used as an analytic lens to explore how professional identity challenges and adaptations are described in the literature. Discussion The analysis demonstrates that identity theory provides a coherent framework for interpreting documented accounts of role disruption, identity verification and adaptive strategies during the shift from psychiatric hospital to community‐based care. The theory enables multi‐level analysis linking individual experience, organisational context and policy change. Conclusion Document analysis indicates that identity theory has strong potential as a theoretical framework for future empirical research on mental health nursing identity, including oral history approaches.
Victoria Sweetmore (Thu,) studied this question.