Towards a psychology of belonging: A theoretical model Jeff Hodgins PhD Candidate Social Psychology Supervised by: Dr Gail Moloney and Dr Heather Winskel

Unsatisfied or thwarted To be human is to belong Fundamental human need and motivation that underpins much human behaviour, thought and emotion Baumeister (2012) ‘Mainspring’ of social action Leary & Cox (2008) An individual, group or community Positively satisfied Wellbeing Performance Social cohesion Social capital Unsatisfied or thwarted Social maladjustment/Pathology Vulnerability to addiction & suicide Reduced performance Social conflict Reduced social capital

Applied research examples… Nursing Learning performance of nurses in placement Levett-Jones et al (2007,2009) Patient wellbeing in rehab Halding et al (2010) Psychology Psychotherapeutic role in child development Gfroerer et al (2013) Wellbeing of adopted children and those in care Briggs (2015) Protection against depression of military personal across deployment cycle Bryan et al (2015) Sports sciences Individual and team performance Allen (2006) Healthcare leadership Organisational belonging – increased productivity & effectiveness Cremer (2005) Migrant resettlement Fozdar & Hartley (2012) Indigenous Aboriginal Neville et al (2014)

The problem… the construct is in unrelated many pieces

Aim To systematically examine the construct of belonging, specifically: What is the psychological source of belonging? What are the component dimensions of the construct of belonging and how are they related? How are dimensions of belonging measured?

Method Method Systematic review of published English language peer reviewed literature between 1931 and 2016 Search strategy: Online databases (e.g., Psychinfo, PsychArticles, Web of Science, multidisciplinary databases, University catalogues) and hand searches Article selection criteria: Theorized or hypothesized a dimension of belonging Quantitatively or qualitatively explored a dimension with a referent group Analyzed belonging dimensions for factors and measures Thematically analyzed dimensions/proposed definitions of belonging through literature reviews A ‘dimension’ was defined as: the collective of thoughts, feelings and/or co varying behaviours that comprise a discrete relatable element of the concept of belonging

Procedure Articles categorized and mapped by known/unknown dimension Exclusions: Correlations, related concepts, theories incl. belonging, etc. Articles selected data summaries incl. definitions extracted and synthesized Thematically analyze data psychological source of belonging construct dimensions and relationships factors/metrics

Results 374 articles from search 36 articles selected (Incl. 12 psychometric scales) Theory, quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods 25000+ participants Multidisciplinary Psychology (21)) Sociology (7) Nursing (5) Other (3) Definitions, factors and metrics for 3 known dimensions A sense of belonging/belongingness Need to belong Antecedents to adult belonging

Analysis The psychological source of individual belongingness 1 or more of 3 identity realms 2 key characteristics relationship quality & interaction Mutuality of acceptance SELF SOCIAL SPACE

Analysis & Discussion Idiosyncratic self Relationship quality & interaction Mutuality of acceptance SELF SOCIAL Idiosyncratic self SPACE

Analysis & Discussion Relationship quality & interaction Mutuality of acceptance SELF SOCIAL Social group membership SPACE

Analysis & Discussion When ‘place’ becomes meaningful SELF SOCIAL SPACE Relationship quality & interaction Mutuality of acceptance When ‘place’ becomes meaningful

Antecedents to belonging Analysis & Discussion Antecedents to belonging Known dimension New dimension The dimensions of belonging

Antecedents to belonging Analysis & Discussion Antecedents to belonging Need to belong Known dimension New dimension The dimensions of belonging

Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension Antecedents to belonging Need to belong Identity formation processes to belong Known dimension New dimension The dimensions of belonging

Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension Antecedents to belonging Need to belong Identity formation processes to belong Sense of belonging- (Belongingness) Known dimension New dimension The dimensions of belonging

Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension Antecedents to belonging Need to belong Identity formation processes to belong Sense of belonging- (Belongingness) Factors influencing belonging Known dimension New dimension The dimensions of belonging

Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension Antecedents to belonging Need to belong Identity formation processes to belong Sense of belonging- (Belongingness) Factors influencing belonging Practices to maintain belonging Known dimension New dimension The dimensions of belonging

Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension Antecedents to belonging Need to belong Identity formation processes to belong Sense of belonging- (Belongingness) Factors influencing belonging Practices to maintain belonging Consequences of belonging/not belonging Known dimension New dimension The dimensions of belonging

Putting the pieces together Antecedents to belonging Need to belong Identity formation processes to belong Sense of belonging- (Belongingness) Factors influencing belonging Practices to maintain belonging Consequences of belonging/not belonging relationship quality & interaction Mutuality of acceptance in identity SELF SOCIAL SPACE Theoretical model

Conclusion Definition Belonging (noun) is a subjective and dynamic psychological and physiological phenomenon experienced when ones need to belong is satisfied by positive acceptance of and in identities relating to self-concept, social groups [based upon communities, cultures, political, religious or ideological beliefs, shared artefacts or behaviours, ancestors, history], and one’s space. Childhood and adolescent development, and biology are antecedent to positive adult belongingness. Level of belongingness is maintained by supporting behaviours and influenced by social, historical and environmental factors. Positive belonging enhances wellbeing, personal performance of individuals and groups, and supports social cohesion of communities both locally and nationally. A deficiency of belongingness can result in social maladjustment, pathology or community conflict.

Belonging is a powerful psychological phenomenon that underpins individual wellbeing, and social cohesion of a group, community, or organisation