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Having a Lot of a Good Thing: Multiple Important Group Memberships as a Source of Self-Esteem

Author

Listed:
  • Jolanda Jetten
  • Nyla R Branscombe
  • S Alexander Haslam
  • Catherine Haslam
  • Tegan Cruwys
  • Janelle M Jones
  • Lijuan Cui
  • Genevieve Dingle
  • James Liu
  • Sean Murphy
  • Anh Thai
  • Zoe Walter
  • Airong Zhang

Abstract

Membership in important social groups can promote a positive identity. We propose and test an identity resource model in which personal self-esteem is boosted by membership in additional important social groups. Belonging to multiple important group memberships predicts personal self-esteem in children (Study 1a), older adults (Study 1b), and former residents of a homeless shelter (Study 1c). Study 2 shows that the effects of multiple important group memberships on personal self-esteem are not reducible to number of interpersonal ties. Studies 3a and 3b provide longitudinal evidence that multiple important group memberships predict personal self-esteem over time. Studies 4 and 5 show that collective self-esteem mediates this effect, suggesting that membership in multiple important groups boosts personal self-esteem because people take pride in, and derive meaning from, important group memberships. Discussion focuses on when and why important group memberships act as a social resource that fuels personal self-esteem.

Suggested Citation

  • Jolanda Jetten & Nyla R Branscombe & S Alexander Haslam & Catherine Haslam & Tegan Cruwys & Janelle M Jones & Lijuan Cui & Genevieve Dingle & James Liu & Sean Murphy & Anh Thai & Zoe Walter & Airong Z, 2015. "Having a Lot of a Good Thing: Multiple Important Group Memberships as a Source of Self-Esteem," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-29, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0124609
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124609
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Helliwell, John F., 2003. "How's life? Combining individual and national variables to explain subjective well-being," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 331-360, March.
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