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In‐group identification mediates the effects of subjective in‐group status on mental health
Author(s) -
Sani Fabio.,
Elena Maria Magrin,
Scrignaro Marta,
McCollum Rachel
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1348/014466610x517414
Subject(s) - psychology , mental health , prison , social psychology , social status , group (periodic table) , identification (biology) , life satisfaction , hierarchy , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , psychiatry , social science , chemistry , botany , criminology , organic chemistry , sociology , economics , market economy , biology
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.