The relationship between group identification and satisfaction with life in a cross-cultural community sample

Wakefield, J.R.H. ORCID: 0000-0001-9155-9683, Sani, F., Madhok, V., Norbury, M., Dugard, P., Gabbanelli, C., Beconcini, G., Botindari, F., Paoli, P. and Poggesi, F., 2017. The relationship between group identification and satisfaction with life in a cross-cultural community sample. Journal of Happiness Studies, 18 (3), pp. 785-807. ISSN 1389-4978

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Abstract

A variety of studies have shown that group identification (a sense of belonging to one’s social group, coupled with a sense of commonality with the group’s members) is linked to high levels of satisfaction with life (SWL). The aim of the present study was to support and extend this literature by: i) investigating the link between group identification and SWL with a large cross-cultural community sample; ii) examining whether the relationship is moderated by nationality; and iii) considering whether SWL is enhanced by possessing multiple group identifications simultaneously. Utilizing data from Wave 1 of the Health in Groups project, 3,829 participants from both Scotland and Italy completed a questionnaire assessing their identification with their family, their local community, and a group of their choice, as well as their level of SWL. Higher identification with each group predicted higher SWL. Nationality was a marginal moderator of the relationship between family identification and SWL, with the relationship being stronger for Italian participants than for Scottish participants. There was also an additive effect of group identification, with a positive relationship between the number of groups with which participants identified and their SWL. These effects were obtained even after controlling for gender, age, employment status, nationality, and extent of contact with each group. The implications for healthcare professionals and their patients are discussed.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Journal of Happiness Studies
Creators:	Wakefield, J.R.H., Sani, F., Madhok, V., Norbury, M., Dugard, P., Gabbanelli, C., Beconcini, G., Botindari, F., Paoli, P. and Poggesi, F.
Publisher:	Springer
Date:	June 2017
Volume:	18
Number:	3
ISSN:	1389-4978
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	31 Mar 2016 11:11
Last Modified:	19 Apr 2018 11:20
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27260

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