title: In-group identification mediates the effects of subjective in-group status on mental health.
abstract: We present two studies exploring the effects of the relative standing of one's in-group in the social hierarchy, which we conceptualize as 'subjective in-group status', on mental health and well-being. Study 1 focuses on the subjective status of a professional in-group (prison guards) while Study 2 concerns the subjective status of the family in-group. Results show that higher subjective in-group status predicts better mental health (e.g., less depression) and greater well-being (e.g., higher satisfaction with life). Also, results demonstrate that the effects of subjective in-group status on mental health are mediated by the extent to which one subjectively identifies with the in-group.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Dundee, UK. f.sani@dundee.ac.uk
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sani
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Magrin
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scrignaro
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCollum
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006608:Hierarchy, Social; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011330:Prisons; D012923:Social Class; D012933:Social Identification; D012963:Sociometric Techniques