The Relationship Between Stigma-Induced Social Identity Threat and Loneliness: An Investigation Among Unemployed People in Germany

Abstract

Experiences of stigma-induced social identity threat can frustrate one’s need for belonging. No research to date has examined whether stigmatized people experience loneliness as a result. Therefore, we conducted two studies with unemployed people in Germany to test the hypothesis that social identity threat increases feelings of loneliness. In Study 1 (N = 445), we employed a two-wave longitudinal study and found that Time 1 social identity threat positively predicted Time 2 loneliness. Study 2 (N = 329) provided experimental evidence of this link by manipulating exposure to social identity threat cues through mental imagery. Mediation analysis indicated that this is due to amplified feelings of anger and shame as well as a reduced sense of social belonging. These research findings suggest the importance of interventions to foster a sense of social belonging in marginalized groups.