Barriers to Building the Professional Identity of Sexologists

The context of sexology is unique in Quebec, particularly because of the training, the practice context and the recent regulations. The creation of the Professional Order of Sexologists of Quebec in 2013 marks a decisive moment for the recognition of the profession of sexologist. Although some researchers have been interested in the profession of sexologist in Quebec and elsewhere, no study seems to have explored precisely the professional identity of sexologists. Yet, some studies indicate that the construction of their professional identity would pose some difficulties. This exploratory research aims to answer the following question: What are the obstacles to the construction of the professional identity of sexologists? This research is based primarily on Dubar's (2010) model of professional socialization and was conducted through 25 one-on-one interviews with undergraduates in sexology, with or without other degrees. The results indicate that the main barrier to the construction of professional identity is that the collective identity is still under definition because of the recent creation of the profession and the regulation, as well as the diversity of the field of practice. The results of the study provide a better understanding of the processes contributing to the construction of the professional identity of sexologists: they can provide elements of reflection for both the academic world and the field of practice.