Benefits of belonging: Experimental manipulation of social inclusion to enhance psychological and physiological health parameters

Abstract

ObjectiveAcute changes in social belonging are important triggers for alterations in health and wellbeing, yet research has emphasised the negative effects of 'exclusion' at the expense of evaluating the potentially positive effects of 'inclusion'. This study examined the impact of acute belonging on physiological and psychological outcomes. Design & Main Outcome MeasuresA healthy population (n=138) were randomly allocated to 'included' or 'excluded' task conditions. Condition-dependent differences in pre/during-task heart rate, and pre/post-task self-reports of negative/positive mood, and social self-esteem, were assessed. ResultsIncluded participants showed decreased heart-rate and negative mood, and increased social self-esteem. No inclusion-related increase in positive mood was shown. An increase in heart rate was observed in excluded participants. However, although excluded participants showed nominal increases in negative mood and decreases in positive mood, these changes were muted, suggesting a protective exclusion-related response. Likewise, no exclusion-related change in social self-esteem was shown. Shifts in social self-esteem acted as a mechanism through which inclusion/exclusion impacted upon negative and positive mood alterations.Results remained significant in presence of covariates (gender, global self-esteem, rumination, and social anxiety). ConclusionFindings suggest that acting to enhance belonging through 'inclusion' resulted in adaptive physiological and psychological outcomes.

Not just a run in the park: a qualitative exploration of parkrun and mental health

“…This suggests that using exercise to improve physical health, can lead to improvements in mental health. Begen and Turner-Cobb (2015) highlight that research has often focussed on the negative effects of exclusion, rather than the positive impact of inclusion.…”

School Belonging: A Review of the History, Current Trends, and Future Directions

“…The literature reveals that an individual's sense of belonging is an important psychological construct with formative implications for both psychological and physical health across the life span (e.g., Poulton, Caspi, & Milne, 2002;Wadsworth, Thomsen, Saltzman, Connor-Smith, & Compas, 2001). Past research that has investigated belonging has found that those who report a high sense of belonging are more likely to report psychological benefits such as wellbeing, increased self-esteem, and positive mood (Begen & Turner-Cobb, 2015;Newman, Lohman, & Newman, 2007), improved memory (Haslam et al, 2010), positive life transitions (Haslam et al, 2008;Iyer, Jetten, Tsivrikos, Haslam, & Postmes, 2009), and reduced stress . Benefits associated with physical functioning have also been reported and include reduced risk of stroke (Boden-Albala, Litwak, Elkind, Rundek, & Sacco, 2005), lowered disease risk (Cohen & Janicki-Deverts, 2009), and reduced mortality (Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010;Jetten, Haslam, Haslam, & Branscombe, 2009).…”

Belonging, Togetherness and Food Rituals

“…At present, relationships appear to be the main avenue, and perhaps the only means, by which self-esteem can truly be affirmed. Our social environment influences health and wellbeing (Begen & Turner-Cobb, 2015). And so are the evolutionary and practical benefits of inclusion in the naturalistic environment (Leary, 2010).…”