Recovering From Strain and Enduring Pain

Abstract

Recent research suggests that multiple group memberships can be a source of resilience in the face of various life challenges (e.g., illness, injury, life transitions, performance demands). In two studies the authors examined whether multiple group memberships promote resilience in the face of novel physical challenges. They found that belonging to multiple groups was associated with faster heart rate recovery for novice bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton athletes (Study 1) and that the salience of a greater number of group memberships led to greater endurance on a cold-pressor task (Study 2). Importantly, these effects were unchanged when controlling for individual differences in responses to the challenge, challenge perceptions, and group membership importance. The authors argue that multiple group memberships reflect an important psychological resource from which individuals draw strength when faced with life challenges and speculate as to the mechanisms underlying this effect.