Shaping Professional Identity of Psychologists through the Use of the Digital Platform. The Case Study of Unobravo Organization

Platform work represents an emerging challenge for the psychology profession, taking shape as a new organisational context in which professionals can practice. In this environment, the digital mediator is not limited to being a mere technical tool, but also becomes a space of identity and professional belonging. Platforms not only facilitate the practice of the profession, but also actively contribute to the construction and development of psychologists' professional identity. They act as an organisational context that offers resources and meanings through which the professional can redefine and enrich his or her identity, with both operational and identity implications. Through the exploration of the work experience of psychologists working with the digital Italian platform Unobravo, this study explores the processes of development of professional identity within a digital context, highlighting how the platform becomes a central reference for professionals. The experience of working in such a structured virtual environment offers psychologists a new model of interaction with colleagues, organisational resources and patients, contributing to the transformation of their professional role. To analyse in depth the processes of construction and development of the professional identity of psychologists working through Unobravo, a mixed methods study was conducted. Sixteen semi-structured interviews, two focus groups and an online survey were conducted to collect a diverse range of experiences and perceptions. This methodological approach allowed for a better understanding of identity dynamics within platform work, offering a unique perspective on a still under-explored field of research. Indeed, the study of the professional identity of psychologists working on platforms represents an innovative and promising field of enquiry, opening up new opportunities to understand how digital technologies are redefining the very concept of the psychological profession.