Social identity and health at mass gatherings

Nick Hopkins (Lead / Corresponding author), Stephen David Reicher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)
330 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Identifying with a group can bring benefits to physical and psychological health. These benefits can be found with both small-scale and large-scale social groups. However, groups can also be associated with health risks: a distinct branch of medicine (‘Mass Gathering Medicine’) has evolved to address the health risks posed by participating in events characterized by large crowds. We argue that emphasizing either the positive or the negative health consequences of group life is one-sided: both positive and negative effects on health can occur (simultaneously). Moreover, both such effects can have their roots in the same social psychological transformations associated with a group-based social identification. Reviewing evidence from across a range of mass gatherings, we offer a conceptual analysis of such mixed effects. Our account shows i., how social identity analyses can enrich mass gatherings medicine, and ii., how social identity analyses of health can be enriched by examining mass gatherings.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)867-877
Number of pages11
JournalEuropean Journal of Social Psychology
Volume47
Issue number7
Early online date25 May 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Sept 2017

Keywords

  • Mass gathering medicine
  • Pilgrimage
  • Social identity
  • Health
  • Social cure

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