A social cure: How multiple social groups are key to health and well-being (2012-2016)
Abstract
Recent research suggest that having access to more group memberships enhances people's ability to cope with stress, enhances their resilience in the face of challenge, and generally improves mental and physical health. Even though this relationship is large in size and well documented, the processes underlying this relationship are poorly understood. Moreover, it is unclear what are the conditions under which we observe this relationship. The proposed research focuses on these two questions and builds on a growing interest in the social sciences in the way group membership informs and shapes health and well-being. Insights will advance our understanding of the way identities play a role in coping with discrimination and identity change.
