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Social identity shapes stress appraisals in people with a history of depression
Isaksson, Alexandra Martin, Peter Kaufmehl, Jan Heinrichs, Markus Domes, Gregor Rüsch, Nicolas
Isaksson, Alexandra
Martin, Peter
Kaufmehl, Jan
Heinrichs, Markus
Domes, Gregor
Rüsch, Nicolas
Abstract
Ingroup perception or the views people with depression have about their group, may influence their vulnerability to social identity threat and lead to enhanced stress reactions and impaired performance. It is unclear how ingroup perception can influence stress appraisals in performance situations among people with a history of depression who are currently in remission. We investigated the impact of ingroup perception on primary stress appraisal, i.e. how threatening a test situation is perceived, as well as on secondary stress appraisal, or perceived coping resources. Sixty people with a history of depression and currently in remission underwent computerized performance tests. Ingroup perception (group identification, group value and entitativity) and stress appraisals were assessed by self-report. In multiple linear regressions higher group identification predicted stronger perception of the situation as stressful if participants perceived people with depression as a coherent group (high entitativity) and held this group in low regard (low group value). In turn, stronger group identification was related to more perceived coping resources especially if participants did not regard people with depression as a coherent group. Our findings highlight the relevance of ingroup perception for stress and coping processes in people with a history of depression.
Keywords
depression, primary stress appraisal, secondary stress appraisal, performance stress, group identification, ingroup perception, social identity
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Psychiatry Research
Book
Volume
254
Issue
Page Range
12-17
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled