We have talked quite a bit on this blog about the impacts of community on injury recovery, physical health, and mental well-being. Partially, this is because it is a very relatable subject that interests a great deal of people; additionally, this is because it is a hopeful topic, and one that people can benefit from.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, many people felt more isolated than they had ever felt, but there were groups of people that felt more communal and felt like they had bonded more then than ever. Some of these people were bonding with their families, or with their immediate neighbors. Some were bonding with online friends and communities, or with coworkers, or religious groups, or social clubs, or YouTube Channels that taught people how to make bread, or… the list goes on and on.
Researchers from the UK have been able to make a connection between the degree to which a person felt connected to a community or individuals to the amount of anxiety and depression experienced during the pandemic, their willingness to follow pandemic precautions, and their own hygiene.
The study aimed to investigate the association between intense bonding with different social groups (such as family, friends, country, government, and humanity) and engagement in pandemic-related health behaviors and psychological well-being during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used two datasets with a large sample size, representing diverse geographic and demographic backgrounds.
The main findings of the study are as follows:
- Intense bonding with family was associated with greater engagement in pandemic-related health behaviors, such as physical distancing, handwashing, and mask-wearing. However, bonding with other groups, including country, government, and humanity, did not show a significant association with these health behaviors.
- Intense bonding with both close social circles (family and friends) and extended groups (country, government, and humanity) was associated with better mental health and well-being.
- Bonding with a greater number of groups was associated with more engagement in health behaviors (except for distancing) and better mental health and well-being.
The study suggests that group norms play a crucial role in shaping the relationship between bonding and health behaviors. Bonding promotes behaviors that align with the group’s norms or values. In what is known as “identity fusion theory,” it is suggested that individuals fused with their group are more willing to go out of their way to assist others in their group, even at a greater personal cost. An example of this would be the use of a mask during the pandemic, as the majority of people used a mask in public despite personal discomfort. Those who wore masks the most often were the groups that felt the most connected to their communities and families.
Along with mask use, personal hygiene increased as well. The study showed a strong correlation between improved physical hygiene, such as washing hands, using hand sanitizer, showering frequently, and brushing of one’s teeth, and the level at which they felt connected or bonded to their family/larger social group.
Additionally, social group membership positively affects physical and mental health by providing support, a sense of meaning, opportunities to enhance self-esteem, and perceived control. The study showed intense drops in self-reported anxiety and depression when the amount of groups individuals felt they belonged to increased. This was cross-referenced by the researchers using other studies, and the findings held true.
Now, the study acknowledges that different social networks may have varied norms, which could explain why bonding with multiple groups was not associated with enhanced distancing behavior, as well as the fact that these results are based on self-reported measurements and are subject to the perspective of the individual.
If we take these principle findings from the study and look to incorporate them into our own lives, it would most likely begin with fostering good habits in familial settings. For parents, that can mean that spending quality time with their children could result in a decreased sense of depression and anxiety, as well as improve their willingness to participate in personal hygiene. For leaders of other groups, it could mean encouraging healthy activities, exercise, and proper self-care.
The researchers themselves connected their study to large groups, like states and countries. They said in their discussion that “The clear message of this study is that to provide rapid psychosocial support at times of societal change, we must leverage social connections at all levels. Broadening our social bonds, particularly intense social bonds, which this research focused on, is not an automatic fix.
Rather, social prescribing within health systems and funding shared social spaces and celebrations of diverse identities will help solidify bonds to varied groups, which sustain psychological health. For instance, healthcare systems can use social prescribing to reduce the reliance on pharmaceutical treatment, especially when what may be missing in an individual’s life are the supportive and directive buffers that come from social bonds to a close group, such as a family.”
In essence, the study’s findings underscore the transformative power of community, highlighting the benefits of strong social connections for physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. By embracing the importance of social bonds and incorporating them into our daily lives, we can cultivate resilience, support one another, and thrive even in challenging times.
I would recommend reading this study if you are interested in this topic. Here is the link!
