Social Identity and Well-Being: Insights From a Cross-Sectional and a Daily Diary Study

Eșanu, Maria (2025) Social Identity and Well-Being: Insights From a Cross-Sectional and a Daily Diary Study. Research Master thesis, Research Master.

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Abstract

The aim of this project was to explore the relationship between social identity constructs and well-being. Study 1 cross-sectionally examined whether the number of social identities and identity conflict predicted well-being, and whether psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) moderated these relationships. Study 2 employed Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to assess whether fluctuations in social identity salience were positively associated with well-being, and whether feeling understood moderated this relationship. It also investigated whether social identity conflict predicted well-being. In Study 1, 553 young adults (aged 18-40) completed an online questionnaire. In Study 2, 45 first-year psychology students completed a 14-day EMA study. The findings of Study 1 indicated that having multiple, harmonious social identities was linked to greater well-being, in line with the broader social identity literature. However, PLEs did not moderate these effects, possibly due to a lack of true effect or methodological limitations (e.g., non-representative sample, measurement issues). The results of study 2 indicated that fluctuations in social identity salience were not associated with enhanced momentary well-being, and feeling understood did not moderate this relationship. Social identity conflict was also not associated with momentary well-being. However, the small sample size in Study 2 warrants caution in interpreting these findings. Nevertheless, this study offers insight into the dynamic relationship between social identity constructs and well-being, as well as the role of contextual factors, such as felt understanding.

Item Type:	Thesis (Research Master)
Supervisor name:	Meer, E.M. van der and Jeronimus, B.F.
Degree programme:	Research Master
Differentiation route/Track:	Mental health: perspectives from Neuro- and Clinical Psychology [Research Master]
Date Deposited:	04 Jul 2025 10:09
Last Modified:	04 Jul 2025 10:09
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5266

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