From “we” to “me”: Group identification enhances perceived personal control with consequences for health and well-being.
2015/05/04 by Katharine H. Greenaway, S. Alexander Haslam, Tegan Cruwys +3 · 509 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Control (management) #Cultural Differences and Values #Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion #Developmental psychology #Group identification #Identification (biology) #Identity (music) #Personal development #Personal identity #Psychology #Psychotherapist #Self-concept #Social and Intergroup Psychology #Social group #Social identity theory #Social psychology
paper · doi:10.1037/pspi0000019
published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 109(1), 53-74 (American Psychological Association)
openalex publication_date 2015/05/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
Abstract
There is growing recognition that identification with social groups can protect and enhance health and well-being, thereby constituting a kind of "social cure." The present research explores the role of control as a novel mediator of the relationship between shared group identity and well-being. Five studies provide evidence for this process. Group identification predicted significantly greater perceived personal control across 47 countries (Study 1), and in groups that had experienced success and failure (Study 2). The relationship was observed longitudinally (Study 3) and experimentally (Study 4). Manipulated group identification also buffered a loss of personal control (Study 5). Across the studies, perceived personal control mediated social cure effects in political, academic, community, and national groups. The findings reveal that the personal benefits of social groups come not only from their ability to make people feel good, but also from their ability to make people feel capable and in control of their lives.
Citations
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