Emotion work, commitment, and the authentication of the self - The case ofgay and ex-gay Christian support groups

Whereas previous research on support groups focuses on cognitive aspects of the self redefinition process central to support group, success, this ethn ographic study of gay and ex-gay Christian men examines the importance of e motion in the support group process. By analyzing the emotion work done wit hin these groups, Me learn how support groups can create and maintain the m ember commitment necessary for individual transformation and support group success. Specifically: the author shows how members are (1) recruited throu gh an emotional promise, (2) taught emotion management strategies that make participation initially tolerable and later rewarding, (3) encouraged to s hare emotions that build collective identity and (4) lead to authenticate n ew self-meanings via emotional experience. The implications of this study f or understanding how emotion work affects recruitment and participation in social movement organizations are also discussed.