1. Towards a psychology of belonging: A theoretical model
Jeff Hodgins
PhD Candidate
Social Psychology
Supervised by: Dr Gail Moloney and Dr Heather Winskel

2. Unsatisfied or thwarted
To be human is to belong
Fundamental human need and motivation that underpins much human behaviour, thought and emotion Baumeister (2012)
‘Mainspring’ of social action Leary & Cox (2008)
An individual, group or community
Positively satisfied
Wellbeing
Performance
Social cohesion
Social capital
Unsatisfied or thwarted
Social maladjustment/Pathology
Vulnerability to addiction & suicide
Reduced performance
Social conflict
Reduced social capital

3. Applied research examples…
Nursing
Learning performance of nurses in placement Levett-Jones et al (2007,2009)
Patient wellbeing in rehab Halding et al (2010)
Psychology
Psychotherapeutic role in child development Gfroerer et al (2013)
Wellbeing of adopted children and those in care Briggs (2015)
Protection against depression of military personal across deployment cycle Bryan et al (2015)
Sports sciences
Individual and team performance Allen (2006)
Healthcare leadership
Organisational belonging – increased productivity & effectiveness Cremer (2005)
Migrant resettlement Fozdar & Hartley (2012)
Indigenous Aboriginal Neville et al (2014)

4. The problem… the construct is in unrelated many pieces

5. Aim
To systematically examine the construct of belonging, specifically:
What is the psychological source of belonging?
What are the component dimensions of the construct of belonging and how are they related?
How are dimensions of belonging measured?

6. Method
Method
Systematic review of published English language peer reviewed literature between 1931 and 2016
Search strategy: Online databases (e.g., Psychinfo, PsychArticles, Web of Science, multidisciplinary databases, University catalogues) and hand searches
Article selection criteria:
Theorized or hypothesized a dimension of belonging
Quantitatively or qualitatively explored a dimension with a referent group
Analyzed belonging dimensions for factors and measures
Thematically analyzed dimensions/proposed definitions of belonging through literature reviews
A ‘dimension’ was defined as: the collective of thoughts, feelings and/or co varying behaviours that comprise a discrete relatable element of the concept of belonging

7. Procedure Articles categorized and mapped by known/unknown dimension
Exclusions: Correlations, related concepts, theories incl. belonging, etc.
Articles selected
data summaries incl. definitions extracted and synthesized
Thematically analyze data
psychological source of belonging
construct dimensions and relationships
factors/metrics

8. Results 374 articles from search
36 articles selected (Incl. 12 psychometric scales)
Theory, quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods
participants
Multidisciplinary
Psychology (21))
Sociology (7)
Nursing (5)
Other (3)
Definitions, factors and metrics for 3 known dimensions
A sense of belonging/belongingness
Need to belong
Antecedents to adult belonging

9. Analysis The psychological source of individual belongingness
1 or more of 3 identity realms
2 key characteristics
relationship quality & interaction
Mutuality of acceptance
SELF
SOCIAL
SPACE

10. Analysis & Discussion Idiosyncratic self
Relationship quality & interaction
Mutuality of acceptance
SELF
SOCIAL
Idiosyncratic self
SPACE

11. Analysis & Discussion Relationship quality & interaction
Mutuality of acceptance
SELF
SOCIAL
Social group membership
SPACE

12. Analysis & Discussion When ‘place’ becomes meaningful SELF SOCIAL
SPACE
Relationship quality & interaction
Mutuality of acceptance
When ‘place’ becomes meaningful

13. Antecedents to belonging
Analysis & Discussion
Antecedents to belonging
Known dimension
New dimension
The dimensions
of belonging

14. Antecedents to belonging
Analysis & Discussion
Antecedents to belonging
Need to belong
Known dimension
New dimension
The dimensions
of belonging

15. Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension
Antecedents to belonging
Need to belong
Identity formation processes to belong
Known dimension
New dimension
The dimensions
of belonging

16. Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension
Antecedents to belonging
Need to belong
Identity formation processes to belong
Sense of belonging- (Belongingness)
Known dimension
New dimension
The dimensions
of belonging

17. Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension
Antecedents to belonging
Need to belong
Identity formation processes to belong
Sense of belonging- (Belongingness)
Factors influencing belonging
Known dimension
New dimension
The dimensions
of belonging

18. Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension
Antecedents to belonging
Need to belong
Identity formation processes to belong
Sense of belonging- (Belongingness)
Factors influencing belonging
Practices to maintain belonging
Known dimension
New dimension
The dimensions
of belonging

19. Analysis & Discussion The dimensions of belonging Known dimension
Antecedents to belonging
Need to belong
Identity formation processes to belong
Sense of belonging- (Belongingness)
Factors influencing belonging
Practices to maintain belonging
Consequences of belonging/not belonging
Known dimension
New dimension
The dimensions
of belonging

20. Putting the pieces together
Antecedents to belonging
Need to belong
Identity formation processes to belong
Sense of belonging- (Belongingness)
Factors influencing belonging
Practices to maintain belonging
Consequences of belonging/not belonging
relationship quality & interaction
Mutuality of acceptance in identity
SELF
SOCIAL
SPACE
Theoretical model

21. Conclusion Definition
Belonging (noun) is a subjective and dynamic psychological and physiological phenomenon experienced when ones need to belong is satisfied by positive acceptance of and in identities relating to self-concept, social groups [based upon communities, cultures, political, religious or ideological beliefs, shared artefacts or behaviours, ancestors, history], and one’s space.
Childhood and adolescent development, and biology are antecedent to positive adult belongingness. Level of belongingness is maintained by supporting behaviours and influenced by social, historical and environmental factors.
Positive belonging enhances wellbeing, personal performance of individuals and groups, and supports social cohesion of communities both locally and nationally. A deficiency of belongingness can result in social maladjustment, pathology or community conflict.

22. Belonging is a powerful psychological phenomenon that underpins individual wellbeing, and social cohesion of a group, community, or organisation