"This promises to be one of the most important studies of its type ever conducted, and it will play a major role in shaping our understanding of the role of social groups in the dynamics of health and well-being.  The research team is world-leading and they have forged unique partnerships across academia and the community that will allow them to answer some of the most important questions for public health today.  I applaud their ambition and I — like a great many of my colleagues — am eagerly awaiting the results.

 

Alex Haslam, Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology (University of Queensland, Brisbane), and co-editor of The Social Cure: Identity Health, And Well-Being.

 

 

 

I welcome this study. After a decade of focus on the individual, UK general practice and primary care are returning to exploring how the health of the individual is inextricably linked with her personal and social relationships within families and communities. Individualism (and economism) were highlighted in our 2009 British Journal of General Practice Essence study as part of our current zeitgeist. RCGP Scotland has this year initiated two projects with the Scottish Government exploring how general practice can help develop links between individuals and community groups and contribute to both self management of long term conditions and community health. This study will provide vital information on this complex dynamic, which will inform both our work and policy decisions based on it. It should also help us understand how to address Scotland’s poor record of health, especially in deprived populations.

 

John Gillies, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Scotland.

 

 

 

Finally! “Health in Groups” is the study that was needed to finally understand how group life impacts upon health. Health has important psycho-social determinants, not just physiological ones, and group life is a central aspect of human and social existence. I look forward to reading the results.

 

Fabrizio Butera, Professor of Social Psychology (University of Lausanne) and former President of the European Association of Social Psychology (EASP).

 

 

 

Even though there is now a wealth of research demonstrating that group membership affects our health and well-being in important ways, much more needs to be understood. For example, why and when do groups affect health? And, what are the mechanism through which groups inform health? By coupling sound theorising with an ambitious large-scale approach, this study is uniquely positioned to tackle all these questions. Without a doubt, this study will make an important and timely contribution to the field and I’m looking forward to the first results.

 

Jolanda Jetten, Professor of Social Psychology (University of Queensland, Brisbane), and Editor of the British Journal of Social Psychology.

 

 

 

I particularly welcome this study. I am increasingly aware that part of the problem with current well-being research and concomitant literature is that it is too focussed on the individual and often ignores social relationships and group membership. The findings of this study will be important on a number of different levels.

 

Carol Craig, Chief Executive of the Centre for Confidence and Well-Being, Glasgow.