Abstract
The present research explored whether components of social identity, namely ingroup ties, affect, and centrality, were differentially linked to mental health and inflammatory immune responses, and whether rumination mediated those relations. Study 1 (N = 138) indicated that stronger ingroup ties were associated with fewer mental health (depressive and post-traumatic stress) symptoms; those relations were mediated by the tendency for individuals with strong ties to rely less on ruminative coping to deal with a stressful life event. Study 2 (N = 54) demonstrated that ingroup ties were negatively associated with depressive symptoms, dispositional rumination, as well as stress-linked inflammatory elements at the physiological level. Consistent associations for centrality and ingroup affect were absent, suggesting that ingroup ties may have unique health benefits.
Highlights
How does one cope with such stressors? What are the implications for health and well-being? An emerging research agenda based on the social identity perspective [1] [2] posits that a key factor in coping well with life’s trials and maintaining a positive state of health and well-being is rooted in one’s group memberships and social connections
Both ingroup affect and ties were associated with fewer depressive symptoms, but ingroup ties was the only component of group identification to be associated with fewer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms
The potential mediating role of rumination and social support in the relations between group identification and mental health symptoms were evaluated for those models wherein the specific identity component and mental health outcome were significantly related
Summary
An emerging research agenda based on the social identity perspective [1] [2] posits that a key factor in coping well with life’s trials and maintaining a positive state of health and well-being is rooted in one’s group memberships and social connections. These findings collectively suggest that a strong sense of group belonging—of social identification—is vital to maintaining good mental and physical health, especially in times of stress [3] [4] [5].
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