Self-identity Development, Self-esteem Formation and Psychological Wellbeing of Blind Twin Musicians in Türkiye: The Case of Kerim-Selim Altınok

Ozan Eren; Ferzan Curun

Makale detayları

Self-identity Development, Self-esteem Formation and Psychological Wellbeing of Blind Twin Musicians in Türkiye: The Case of Kerim-Selim Altınok

Yazarlar:

Ozan Eren | Ferzan Curun

Yayıncı:

Bursa Uludağ University

Ana Başlıklar:

Müzik Sosyolojisi | Sosyal ve Kişilik Psikolojisi (Diğer)

Dergi:

International Journal of Social Inquiry Vol.18 Issue 2, pp.362-382

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

8/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001357291

pISSN:

1307-8364

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 Self-identity development is an umbrella concept that covers various theoretical themes. Self-esteem, on the other hand, reflects an individuals overall evaluation of their feelings and worth. This manuscript aims to explore the identity development and self-esteem formation of Kerim Altınok KA and Selim Altınok SA. The twin brothers are well-known and celebrated blind musicians in Türkiye. In Türkiye and elsewhere, blind people tend to experience significant life difficulties, and suffer from low self-esteem and dented self-identity. We used qualitative methods to conduct this study. Utilizing semi-structured questionnaire, we carried out in-depth-interviews with the twin brothers. Specifically, we focused on how the participants have constructed the notions of Me and I, and successfully developed strong self-identity and high self-esteem. The first interview took place at a local restaurant in a leafy suburb of Istanbul in 2019. We conducted the rest of the interviews online because of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak in 2020-2021. We transcribed the interviews, and the data were subjected to thematic analysis. Our findings suggest that Kerim and Selim developed high self-esteem and strong self-identity over the decades despite becoming blind at a young age. They encountered and overcame major life challenges from childhood to adult life. Their life narratives are remarkable and there is a real opportunity to learn from their lived experience, and how they have developed strong self-identity and high self-esteem despite living with a primary disability.

 Self-identity development is an umbrella concept that covers various theoretical themes. Self-esteem, on the other hand, reflects an individuals overall evaluation of their feelings and worth. This manuscript aims to explore the identity development and self-esteem formation of Kerim Altınok KA and Selim Altınok SA. The twin brothers are well-known and celebrated blind musicians in Türkiye. In Türkiye and elsewhere, blind people tend to experience significant life difficulties, and suffer from low self-esteem and dented self-identity. We used qualitative methods to conduct this study. Utilizing semi-structured questionnaire, we carried out in-depth-interviews with the twin brothers. Specifically, we focused on how the participants have constructed the notions of Me and I, and successfully developed strong self-identity and high self-esteem. The first interview took place at a local restaurant in a leafy suburb of Istanbul in 2019. We conducted the rest of the interviews online because of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak in 2020-2021. We transcribed the interviews, and the data were subjected to thematic analysis. Our findings suggest that Kerim and Selim developed high self-esteem and strong self-identity over the decades despite becoming blind at a young age. They encountered and overcame major life challenges from childhood to adult life. Their life narratives are remarkable and there is a real opportunity to learn from their lived experience, and how they have developed strong self-identity and high self-esteem despite living with a primary disability.

 Self-identity development is an umbrella concept that covers various theoretical themes. Self-esteem, on the other hand, reflects an individuals overall evaluation of their feelings and worth. This manuscript aims to explore the identity development and self-esteem formation of Kerim Altınok KA and Selim Altınok SA. The twin brothers are well-known and celebrated blind musicians in Türkiye. In Türkiye and elsewhere, blind people tend to experience significant life difficulties, and suffer from low self-esteem and dented self-identity. We used qualitative methods to conduct this study. Utilizing semi-structured questionnaire, we carried out in-depth-interviews with the twin brothers. Specifically, we focused on how the participants have constructed the notions of Me and I, and successfully developed strong self-identity and high self-esteem. The first interview took place at a local restaurant in a leafy suburb of Istanbul in 2019. We conducted the rest of the interviews online because of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak in 2020-2021. We transcribed the interviews, and the data were subjected to thematic analysis. Our findings suggest that Kerim and Selim developed high self-esteem and strong self-identity over the decades despite becoming blind at a young age. They encountered and overcame major life challenges from childhood to adult life. Their life narratives are remarkable and there is a real opportunity to learn from their lived experience, and how they have developed strong self-identity and high self-esteem despite living with a primary disability.

 Öz kimlik gelişimi, çeşitli teorik temaları kapsayan bir şemsiye kavramdır. Öz saygı ise bireyin duygularının ve değerinin genel değerlendirmesini yansıtır. Bu makale, Kerim Altınok KA ve Selim Altınokun SA kimlik gelişimini ve öz saygı oluşumunu incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. İkiz kardeşler, Türkiyede tanınmış ve ünlü kör müzisyenlerdir. Türkiyede ve diğer yerlerde, kör insanlar önemli yaşam zorlukları yaşama eğilimindedirler ve düşük öz saygı ve zedelenmiş öz kimlikten muzdariptirler. Bu çalışmayı yürütmek için nitel yöntemler kullandık. Yarı yapılandırılmış anketler kullanarak ikiz kardeşlerle derinlemesine görüşmeler gerçekleştirdik. Özellikle, katılımcıların Bana ve Ben kavramlarını nasıl oluşturduklarına ve güçlü bir öz kimlik ve yüksek öz saygıyı nasıl başarıyla geliştirdiklerine odaklandık. İlk görüşme, 2019da İstanbulun bir semtindeki yerel bir restoranda gerçekleşti. 2020-2021deki koronavirüs salgını nedeniyle görüşmelerin geri kalanını çevrimiçi olarak gerçekleştirdik. Görüşmeleri yazıya çevirdik ve veriler tematik analize tabi tutuldu. Bulgularımız, Kerim ve Selimin genç yaşta kör olmalarına rağmen, yıllar içinde yüksek öz saygı ve güçlü bir öz kimlik geliştirdiklerini göstermektedir. Çocukluktan yetişkinliğe kadar büyük yaşam zorluklarıyla karşılaşmış ve bunların üstesinden gelmişlerdir. Hayat hikayeleri dikkat çekicidir ve yaşanmış deneyimlerinden, birincil bir engelle yaşamalarına ragmen, nasıl güçlü bir öz kimlik ve yüksek öz saygı geliştirdikleri konusunda gerçek bir öğrenme fırsatı vardır.

Makale detayları

Self-identity Development, Self-esteem Formation and Psychological Wellbeing of Blind Twin Musicians in Türkiye: The Case of Kerim-Selim Altınok

Yazarlar:

Ozan Eren | Ferzan Curun

Yayıncı:

Bursa Uludağ University

Ana Başlıklar:

Müzik Sosyolojisi | Sosyal ve Kişilik Psikolojisi (Diğer)

Dergi:

International Journal of Social Inquiry Vol.18 Issue 2, pp.362-382

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

8/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001357291

pISSN:

1307-8364

Kerim Altınok

Selim Altınok

self-identity

self-esteem

blindness

TürkiyeKerim Altınok

Selim Altınok

öz kimlik

öz saygı

körlük

Türkiye

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Ozan Eren | Ferzan Curun

Yayıncı: Bursa Uludağ University

Ana Başlıklar: Müzik Sosyolojisi | Sosyal ve Kişilik Psikolojisi (Diğer)

Dergi: International Journal of Social Inquiry Vol.18 Issue 2, pp.362-382

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 8/2025

Belge Dili: İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.): 2001357291

pISSN: 1307-8364

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Ozan Eren | Ferzan Curun

Yayıncı:

Bursa Uludağ University

Ana Başlıklar:

Müzik Sosyolojisi | Sosyal ve Kişilik Psikolojisi (Diğer)

Dergi:

International Journal of Social Inquiry Vol.18 Issue 2, pp.362-382

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

8/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001357291

pISSN:

1307-8364