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Cited by 1,361Social Power and Status DynamicsHealth disparities and outcomesSocial Capital and Networks

Multiple Identities and Psychological Well-Being: A Reformulation and Test of the Social Isolation Hypothesis

Thoits, Peggy A.·1983·American Sociological Review
DOI 10.2307/2095103
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Abstract

Drawing upon symbolic interactionist theory, this paper reconceptualizes social isolation as the possession offew social identities. Social identities (enacted in role relationships) give meaning and guidance to behavior, and thus should prevent anxiety, depression, and disordered conduct. The accumulation hypothesis-the more identities possessed by an actor, the less psychological distress helshe should exhibit-is tested and supported using panel data from the New Haven community survey (Myers et al., 1971). The interaction between identity accumulation and identity change is also examined, under differing assumptions regarding the structure of multiple identities. Results indicate that integrated individuals benefit more from identity gain and also suffer more from identity loss than isolated individuals. The implications of these results for social isolation theory and for previous conceptions of the effects of multiple roles are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.2307/2095103

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40 of 40 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Interactions with others have positive short-term influences, including promoting more positive psychological states.

    “Research has also pointed to positive short-term influences of interactions with others, including the promotion of more positive psychological states (Cohen, 1988, 2004; Thoits, 1983).”

    From What's love got to do with it? Social functioning, perceived health, and daily happiness in married octogenarians (2010) · cites this paper as Thoits, 1983

  • Social relationships provide meaningful roles that increase self-esteem and purpose in life.

    “Social relationships buffer people from stress, improve their mental health [1,5,6], and provide meaningful roles that increase self-esteem and purpose in life [7,8].”

    From A Randomized Pilot Study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Improve Social Support for Veterans with PTSD (2022) · cites this paper as [8]

  • People use social media platforms to have intimate conversations and exchange social support, to participate in groups and organizations, and to cultivate diverse types of relationships.

    “people use social media platforms to have intimate conversations and exchange social support,54 to participate in groups and organizations (e.g., Facebook groups), and to cultivate diverse types of relationships.”

    From Social Media Use and Its Link to Physical Health Indicators (2022) · cites this paper as [52]

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Authors
Thoits, P. A.
Affiliations
Princeton University (US)
Corresponding author
Thoits, Peggy A.
ORCID
Thoits, Peggy A.
Venue
American Sociological Review
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
1983-04
Volume
48
Issue
2
Pages
174
ISSN
0003-1224 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2307/2095103
OpenAlex
W2079515533
Cited by
1,361
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 27 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 51 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 39 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 61 · 2014: 42 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 50
FWCI
84.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Sociological Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Power and Status Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Capital and Networks
Keywords
multiple identities, social isolation, psychological well-being, personal transformation, identity loss, role relationships, symbolic interactionism, anxiety, depression
MeSH terms
Mental Disorders, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Role, Social Behavior, Social Identification, Social Isolation

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