Navigating Negative Social Identity: Virtual Identity as a Coping Strategy for Unemployed Youth

This study explored how unemployed young people create virtual social identities as a coping mechanism for their unfavorable social identities. It hypothesized that as young people without jobs have limited opportunities to interact with others, they might use virtual social identities to redefine their identity. The study used survey research with 200 participants and qualitative interviews with 25 respondents. The results indicated that youth unemployment, compounded by social segregation, negatively affects relationships, social identity, and overall well-being. Findings showed that virtual social identities helped youth develop negative outcomes of their offline social identities, although excessive use of virtual platforms could become a potential source of additional stress. Qualitative data analysis identified key themes including social isolation, stress, humiliation, alienation, and dashed hopes. The importance of the virtual environment in the formation of social identity among unemployed youth was also highlighted, which is the novel contribution to the field. The article also discusses recommendations for social interventions for supporting unemployed youth.