ABSTRACT

Changing health-related behavior is for many people a lonely and isolating experience. Individual willpower is often not enough, particularly in addressing addictive behavior, but research increasingly points to the potential of group identity to shape behavior change and support recovery.

This important collection explores the social and cognitive processes that enable people who join recovery groups to address their addictive issues. In an era of increasing concern at the long-term costs of chronic ill-health, the potential to leverage group identity to inspire resilience and recovery offers a timely and practical response.

The book examines the theoretical foundations to a social identity approach in addressing behavior change across a range of contexts, including alcohol addiction, obesity and crime, while also examining topics such as the use of online forums to foster recovery. It will be essential reading for students, researchers and policy makers across health psychology and social care, as well as anyone interested in behavioral change and addiction recovery.

chapter 1|13 pages

Introducing addiction, behavioural change and social identity

BySarah A. Buckingham, David Best

chapter 2|20 pages

Applying the social identity approach in clinical and health domains: key principles and insights

ByS. Alexander Haslam, Catherine Haslam, Tegan Cruwys, Jolanda Jetten, Genevieve A. Dingle, Katharine Greenaway

chapter 3|18 pages

Addiction recovery, mutual-help organizations and social identity

ByJohn F. Kelly, Brandon G. Bergman, Corrie L. Vilsaint

chapter 5|16 pages

Group identification and addictive health behaviours in adolescents

ByKirsty Miller, Juliet R. H. Wakefield, Fabio Sani

chapter 6|12 pages

Addiction to crime and a social identity of recovery

ByJacqueline Malton

chapter 10|17 pages

Social identity mapping: measuring social identity change in recovery from addiction

ByCatherine Haslam, Genevieve A. Dingle, David Best, Jock Mackenzie, Melinda Beckwith

chapter 12|9 pages

Addiction, behavioural change and social identity: overview and concluding comments

ByDavid Best, Sarah A. Buckingham