Recent data shows a worrying increase in mental health issues among young professionals. In her PhD research at Nyenrode Business University, Yoy Bergs demonstrates that these issues are not only caused by high workloads, but also by the pressure of managing multiple identities — both at work and in private life.
“When I look around me, I see young professionals feeling pressure on multiple fronts. They want to meet expectations at work and fit the organizational culture, but they also want to develop themselves outside of work — by exercising, traveling, and maintaining various friendships,” Bergs explains. “In reality, everyone has multiple identities, such as employee, colleague, parent, friend, partner, or athlete. In my dissertation, I examined how these identities influence mental well-being.”
The Trap of an Open Horizon
Bergs describes why young professionals — and students — are more vulnerable to depressive symptoms. “For this group, the future still feels wide open, and they often feel the need to prove themselves, both at work and in their personal lives. For older individuals, the horizon feels closer. They tend to be more selective about where they invest their time and attention, which brings more calm.” Bergs explored how people navigate questions about who they are and who they want to be, both at work and beyond. She also studied how people shape their identities in online environments and how these identities evolve over time.
Unrealistic Standards
Bergs followed a group of 250 students for four years to examine how anxiety develops. Her study showed that “perfectionism discrepancy” — the gap between perceived current performance and ideal standards — significantly increases the risk of developing anxiety over time, leading to more depressive symptoms in the final year of study. She also interviewed 38 young employees to learn how they shape themselves inside and outside the workplace. “They really want to meet others’ expectations. In the short term, this often boosts pride and self-confidence. But below the surface, a lot is going on: it takes energy to create and maintain multiple — and sometimes conflicting — identities.”
Sticky Identities
Curious about how individuals shape their identities online over time, Bergs also studied seven micro-influencers on Instagram. She found that these influencers feel considerable pressure to meet online expectations — and often no longer feel authentic. “They struggle with what I call ‘sticky identities’: they no longer feel like the person they have created online, but can’t simply abandon that identity because of followers or brand deals. Some even create a new account to start fresh and gradually guide their followers there.”
The Paradox of Multiple Identities
Bergs’ research reveals a fundamental paradox: forming and maintaining multiple identities can foster resilience and personal growth, yet it can also lead to overload. “It’s important that people learn to prioritize and navigate their different identities,” she notes. “My research shows that the root cause of mental health issues is far more nuanced than workload alone. Addressing this complex issue requires a holistic perspective and structured dialogue. I often see that, at our core, we share similar values — but these values manifest differently in practice. For example, younger employees want time for activities outside work, while older employees may need time for caregiving. It is crucial that we talk to one another to understand these differences, find common ground, and shape the future of work together.”
Yoy Bergs has an academic background in facility management, workplace design, occupational health, and organizational psychology. She is a senior lecturer at Breda University of Applied Sciences and earned her PhD at Nyenrode Business University. In her dissertation, she advocates for methodological curiosity in organizational sciences, drawing on narrative interviews, online social media data, and LEGO® Serious Play. Bergs calls for environments that enable people to sustainably develop their diverse identities — both inside and outside the workplace.