This study takes a cross-domain identity transition perspective to explore the development of work-related identities by trailing wives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Biographical-narrative interviews with 28 expatriate wives were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that these women approached their cross-domain identity transition sequentially through a process of work identity pause and reactivation. Gendered family demands and contextual constraints led them to temporarily pause their work identity while adjusting to non-work domain changes. The reactivation of the work identity domain prompted them to redevelop a work identity aligned to their new reality. Four manifestations of identity redevelopment status emerged: hobbyists, adaptors, explorers and re-inventors. For some women, their emerging work identity was just a way to escape the ‘expat wife’ stigma, for others it was an opportunity to develop a new career. This article introduces the concepts of identity pause and reactivation.

这项研究从跨域身份转换的角度出发，通过在阿拉伯联合酋长国迪拜的妻子追踪探索与工作相关的身份的发展。对28位外籍妻子进行了传记叙事采访，并使用主题分析进行了分析。调查结果表明，这些妇女通过工作身份暂停和重新激活的过程顺序地进行了跨域身份转换。性别的家庭需求和上下文限制导致他们在适应非工作领域变化的同时暂时暂停工作身份。工作身份域的重新激活促使他们重新开发符合其新现实的工作身份。身份重新发展状态的四个体现出现了：爱好者，适应者，探索者和再创造者。对于某些女性 他们崭露头角的工作身份只是逃脱“外籍妻子”污名的一种方式，对其他人而言，这是发展新职业的机会。本文介绍了身份暂停和重新激活的概念。