Abstract
While previous studies have consistently shown that belonging to multiple groups enhances well-being, the current research proposes that for Asians, multiple group memberships (MGM) may confer fewer well-being benefits. We suggest that this is due, in part, to Asian norms about relationships and support seeking, making Asians more reluctant to enlist social support due to concerns about burdening others. Overall, MGM was associated with enhanced well-being in Westerners (Study 2), but not Asians (Studies 1–3). Study 2 showed that social support mediated the relationship between MGM and well-being for Westerners only. In Study 3, among Asians, MGM benefited the well-being of those who were least reluctant to enlist support. Finally, reviewing the MGM evidence-base to date, relative to Westerners, MGM was less beneficial for the well-being of Asians. The evidence underscores the importance of culture in influencing how likely individuals utilize their group memberships as psychological resources.
Highlights
We know that social relationships matter for psychological well-being
In a first exploratory correlational study, we aimed to explore the relationship between multiple group memberships (MGM) and psychological well-being among international Asian students who had just transitioned from their own culture to a Western culture to commence their studies
Multiple group membership was not significantly related to life satisfaction (r = 0.121, p = 0.105), depression (r = −0.104, p = 0.167), anxiety (r = −0.105, p = 0.162), or stress (r = −0.070, p = 0.350), suggesting that belonging to multiple groups may not be associated with enhanced well-being for Asian participants
Summary
The research shows that people who belong to more social groups have better psychological well-being than those with fewer social group memberships (Thoits, 1983; Helliwell, 2003; Brook et al, 2008; Haslam et al, 2008; Cruwys et al, 2013; Jetten et al, 2015; Sani et al, 2015). To the extent that this applies, multiple group memberships (MGM) may not be associated with greater support seeking in times of difficulty and Culture, Multiple Group Memberships, and Well-Being stress for Asians These cultural differences in the role that multiple group memberships play raise questions about the nature of its relationship with psychological well-being in Asian cultures. Addressing this issue, the present research examines the role of MGM in Asian and Western contexts
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