Abstract:
Identity, as one of the most fundamental elements shaping individual and collective personality, plays an important role in maintaining social and cultural cohesion. In recent decades, rapid media, cultural, and social developments have created a phenomenon called "identity invasion" that has affected the identity structures of societies, especially societies with a rich religious and cultural background like Iran. This research, using a qualitative approach and thematic content analysis method, has identified the dimensions and consequences of the identity crisis resulting from identity invasion in contemporary Iranian society. The data were collected through library study and document analysis and selected through purposeful sampling. The findings show that the identity crisis manifests in six main dimensions: The consequences of this crisis include generational disconnection, weakening social cohesion, decreased adherence to religious values, increased psychological and cultural trauma, and weakening social capital. The results of the research can help cultural and educational policymakers design preventive and strategic programs to strengthen national and religious identity and confront identity threats.