Identity, health and women

the long version

This book explores the construction of a health identity from the standpoint of women's everyday experiences. It examines personal, interpersonal and societal aspects of construction to reveal an evolving identity that moves away from the often fixed stereotypical models of medical illness towards an axis of illness and wellbeing, and opens up further possibilities for identity reframing and recovery. The final part of the book presents a new model of identity construction framed in women's health identity. Linking with current theoretical thinking about gender, media, health psychology and identity construction, the book brings together a women's health grounded in women's experience and considers the implication of this new model for those investigating, providing and delivering health care.