Exploring the Influence of Culture and Heritage on Personal and Collective Identity: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

Purpose: This research explores the role that culture and heritage play in shaping individual and collective identity formation in varied social settings. Identifying identity as a dynamic and emotionally grounded process, the research examines how people use cultural practices, symbols, and intergenerational stories to build their sense of self and belonging. Method: Taking a qualitative study design, 18 participants drawn from diverse ages, regions, and professional groups were interviewed using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Purposive and snowball sampling was employed to select participants with the aim of providing cultural diversity. Data were analyzed based on Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-step thematic analysis guide. Results: Five broad themes were identified: personal identity formation, collective identity formation, transmission of heritage intergenerationally, cultural adaptation, and emotional-symbolic ties. Findings indicate that identity was not only formed by inherited cultural models but also through continuous reinterpretation, emotional connection, and accommodation to modernity. Participants outlined rituals, symbols, and family narratives as core to maintaining identity over generations. Originality/Implications: This research adds to identity theory by pointing out the emotional and symbolic meanings of cultural experience. It has applied implications for heritage education, policy-making, and cultural sustainability strategies that seek to enhance identity in multicultural and changing societies.