Group identification
For one to experience benefits from group membership individuals must experience group identification, which is characterised as a sense of: psychological connection, emotional attachment and shared experience with fellow in-group members (Tajel & Tuner, 1986, McCauley, 2001). This principle is drawn from the social identity theory by Tajfel (1979) who states that group membership presents us with a sense of social identify and belonging, we tend to provide support to members that we identify with and in return receive help and support. Group membership and group identification are not interchangeable; to simply be part of a group and experience high levels of contact is possible (group membership), however group identification …show more content…
Furthermore, it promotes compliance with group norms, an aspect particularly important for successful group cohesion (Barreto & Ellemers, 2002).
Group identification and mental health
The various benefits of group identification are also important for the domain of mental health, for instance; Wakefield, Bickley & Sani, (2003) revealed that greater group identification predicted lower levels of anxiety and depression as well as an increase in satisfaction with life amongst individuals with multiple sclerosis who were attending support groups. Similarly, a study involving the recovery of individuals suffering from mental health issues found that mental health was enhanced when patients identified with either their clinical psychotherapy group or community recreation group (Cruwys et al., 2014). Furthermore, Sani, Magrin, Scrignaro, and McCollum (2010) studied a sample of prison guards and found that increased identification with fellow guards was associated with higher levels of mental health and wellbeing and also reduced psychological disturbance. Delving into the link …show more content…
Research regarding the potential health benefits associated with multiple group memberships has begun the receive attention amongst social identity literature (Jones and Jetten, 2011), however, more importantly, the potential benefits with identifying simultaneously with multiple groups. For instance, Ysseldyk, Haslam and Haslam (2013) assessed the result of well-being on the elderly and found that maintaining multiple group memberships (social, exercise) helped the elderly withstand challenges associated with aging such as: feeling fatigue, lonely, being in pain, finding that they promoted a healthier lifestyle. Research also focused on the impact of well-being on university students agreeing that belonging and more importantly identifying to multiple groups is important for promoting ones knowledge, opportunities and general satisfaction with life (Iyer et al. 2009). Furthermore possessing multiple memberships increases the chance of survival of membership over time and also provides an individual access to more social support during hardship or stressful moments, alongside various types of support (e.g. instrumental, informational and emotional, ect.) (Haslam et al.
For one to experience benefits from group membership individuals must experience group identification, which is characterised as a sense of: psychological connection, emotional attachment and shared experience with fellow in-group members (Tajel & Tuner, 1986, McCauley, 2001). This principle is drawn from the social identity theory by Tajfel (1979) who states that group membership presents us with a sense of social identify and belonging, we tend to provide support to members that we identify with and in return receive help and support. Group membership and group identification are not interchangeable; to simply be part of a group and experience high levels of contact is possible (group membership), however group identification …show more content…
Furthermore, it promotes compliance with group norms, an aspect particularly important for successful group cohesion (Barreto & Ellemers, 2002).
Group identification and mental health
The various benefits of group identification are also important for the domain of mental health, for instance; Wakefield, Bickley & Sani, (2003) revealed that greater group identification predicted lower levels of anxiety and depression as well as an increase in satisfaction with life amongst individuals with multiple sclerosis who were attending support groups. Similarly, a study involving the recovery of individuals suffering from mental health issues found that mental health was enhanced when patients identified with either their clinical psychotherapy group or community recreation group (Cruwys et al., 2014). Furthermore, Sani, Magrin, Scrignaro, and McCollum (2010) studied a sample of prison guards and found that increased identification with fellow guards was associated with higher levels of mental health and wellbeing and also reduced psychological disturbance. Delving into the link …show more content…
Research regarding the potential health benefits associated with multiple group memberships has begun the receive attention amongst social identity literature (Jones and Jetten, 2011), however, more importantly, the potential benefits with identifying simultaneously with multiple groups. For instance, Ysseldyk, Haslam and Haslam (2013) assessed the result of well-being on the elderly and found that maintaining multiple group memberships (social, exercise) helped the elderly withstand challenges associated with aging such as: feeling fatigue, lonely, being in pain, finding that they promoted a healthier lifestyle. Research also focused on the impact of well-being on university students agreeing that belonging and more importantly identifying to multiple groups is important for promoting ones knowledge, opportunities and general satisfaction with life (Iyer et al. 2009). Furthermore possessing multiple memberships increases the chance of survival of membership over time and also provides an individual access to more social support during hardship or stressful moments, alongside various types of support (e.g. instrumental, informational and emotional, ect.) (Haslam et al.