Threats to Belonging and Health: Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic using Decades of Research
Date
2022-01-17
Journal Title
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Publisher
Social Issues and Policy Review
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, an external stressor with multiple stressful sequelae, has fundamentally changed people's lives over multiple years. In this article, we first review research demonstrating that the pandemic has negatively impacted people's sense of belonging and health over time. Next, we draw upon decades of theoretical and empirical work demonstrating that threats to belonging and mental health problems are highly interrelated, with increases in the former driving increases in the latter. We then extend this discussion to physical health, drawing upon a wealth of theoretical and empirical work demonstrating that threats to belonging are a risk factor for longer term health problems and premature mortality. We also highlight potential mechanisms linking threats to belonging and health, with a focus on sleep and immune function. Throughout, we review how pre-existing vulnerabilities may moderate these processes. We conclude with empirically supported recommendations for policymakers interested in addressing these issues.
Description
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Jaremka, L.M., Kane, H.S. and Bell, A.V. (2022), Threats to Belonging and Health: Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic using Decades of Research. Social Issues and Policy Review, 16: 125-163. https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12086, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12086. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited. This article will be embargoed until 01/17/2023.
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Citation
Jaremka, L.M., Kane, H.S. and Bell, A.V. (2022), Threats to Belonging and Health: Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic using Decades of Research. Social Issues and Policy Review, 16: 125-163. https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12086