Identity-based motivation and health.

Abstract

People do not always take action to promote health, engaging instead in unhealthy habits and reporting fatalism about health. One important mechanism underlying these patterns involves identity-based motivation (D. Oyserman, 2007), the process by which content of social identities influences beliefs about in-group goals and strategies. Seven studies show the effect of identity-based motivation on health. Racial-ethnic minority participants view health promotion behaviors as White middle class and unhealthy behaviors as in-group defining (Studies 1 and 2). Priming race-ethnicity (and low socioeconomic status) increases health fatalism and reduces access to health knowledge (Studies 3 and 4). Perceived efficacy of health-promoting activities is undermined when racial-ethnic minority participants who identify unhealthy behavior as in-group defining are asked to consider their similarities to (middle-class) Whites (Studies 5-7).

The Conceptualization of Self-Identity among Residents of Appalachia Ohio

“…Although we did not find significant associations between CT enrollment and community identification, rural identity, ARC status, and demographic data, previous research has concluded that self-identity and health behaviors are highly correlated (Oyserman, Fryberg, and Yoder 2007;Warren et al 2012). However, few studies have been specifically tailored to rural populations or have adapted existing protocols to include the rural experience (see Colby et al 2013;Palmer-Wackerly et al 2014, for notable exceptions).…”

Approaches to socio-cultural barriers to information seeking

“…The barriers manifested themselves in that the participants disclosed their problems selectively to others, avoided the topic in conversation, and tried to seek information without disclosing their HIV status. Oyserman, Fryberg, and Yoder (2007) found that when individuals from stigmatized groups are placed in medical encounters where they perceive that they are denied access to information because of negative social stereotypes, this may adversely impact their confidence to obtain the information they need, and reduce engagement with seeking health information. Further examples of the barriers related to social stigma can be found in studies reviewing information behavior of people belonging to sexual minorities, for example, gay males.…”

Overcoming alcohol and other drug addiction as a process of social identity transition: the social identity model of recovery (SIMOR)

“…, Zywiak et al, 2009). However, it cannot be assumed that all the groups to which individuals belong have a positive impact on physical and psychological wellbeing (Haslam, Reicher & Levine, 2012;Jetten et al 2014), nor that they all promote healthy behaviours (Oyserman, Fryberg & Yoder, 2007). Because groups are strong determinants of self-definition (Turner, 1991), strong affiliation with a group that is discriminated against and socially excluded due to involvement in deviant norms and activities (e.g.…”