The 'doing' or the 'being'? Understanding the roles of involvement and social identity in peer-led addiction support groups

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Taylor, I., McNamara, N. ORCID: 0000-0003-3123-3678 and Frings, D., 2019. The 'doing' or the 'being'? Understanding the roles of involvement and social identity in peer-led addiction support groups. Journal of Applied Social Psychology. ISSN 0021-9029

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12635

Abstract

While the efficacy of peer-led support groups such as AA are well established for people recovering from addiction, the ‘active ingredients’ which underpin their efficacy are less well understood. Drawing on social identity perspectives, in particular the Social Identity Model of Cessation Maintenance, the current study aimed to explore the relative effects of two possible processes; social identification and involvement with the group’s activities. A sample (n = 44) of AA members completed measures pertaining to their social identification with AA, their involvement in the group’s activities and their quit efficacy. The findings suggest that AA involvement was significantly related to identity. Mediation analysis revealed a relationship between involvement and efficacy meditated by identity. However, in contrast, the identity-efficacy link was not mediated by involvement. The findings suggest social identification with AA is as, or more important than, simple involvement in the group’s activities. This suggests that group planners and facilitators should therefore encourage opportunities to generate a sense of belonging alongside the activities the group revolve around.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Creators:

Taylor, I., McNamara, N. and Frings, D.

Publisher:

Wiley-Blackwell

Date:

2 November 2019

ISSN:

0021-9029