In-group identification mediates the effects of subjective in-group status on mental health

• Published in: British journal of social psychology Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 883 - 893
• Main Authors: Sani, Fabio, Elena, Maria Magrin, Scrignaro, Marta, McCollum, Rachel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-12-2010; British Psychological Society
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Depression; Depression (Psychology); Employment - psychology; Family; Family - psychology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hierarchy; Hierarchy, Social; Humans; Italy; Life Satisfaction; Male; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Personal Satisfaction; Prisons; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Social Class; Social Identification; Social interactions. Communication. Group processes; Social psychology; Sociometric Techniques; Well Being; Italy; Human; Social status; Health status; Social group; Mental health; Well being; Social belonging; Subjective evaluation; Social hierarchy; Social identity
• ISSN: 0144-6665; 2044-8309
• DOI: 10.1348/014466610X517414

We present two studies exploring the effects of the relative standing of one's in‐group in the social hierarchy, which we conceptualize as ‘subjective in‐group status’, on mental health and well‐being. Study 1 focuses on the subjective status of a professional in‐group (prison guards) while Study 2 concerns the subjective status of the family in‐group. Results show that higher subjective in‐group status predicts better mental health (e.g., less depression) and greater well‐being (e.g., higher satisfaction with life). Also, results demonstrate that the effects of subjective in‐group status on mental health are mediated by the extent to which one subjectively identifies with the in‐group.