Our Evidence base​

Theoretical Underpinnings

VCP is underpinned by the Social Identity Approach to Health (SIAH). 

The SIAH also posits that our group memberships impact our health. Identifying with a group has been shown to provide a person with access to valuable psychological resources, which in turn allow them to meet important psychological needs and cope better with stress , and thus experience

enhanced physical health, longevity, mental health, and general well-being. 

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The Social identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC, see Figure 1) is the way in which the SIAH conceptualises life transitions. It posits that the negative adjustment and wellbeing-related impacts of transition are reduced by two processes: (a) maintaining valuable group memberships through the

transition, and (b) gaining new group memberships after the transition (assuming these groups are compatible with each other, i.e., that they share broadly similar norms and values). A large body of empirical evidence supports the SIMIC. Research across a wide range of life transitions, including becoming a student, a parent, and a retiree, shows that the positive effects of group membership maintenance/gain enhance physical health, longevity, mental health, and general well-being.These benefits demonstrate how psychologically meaningful social groups (e.g., family, friends, classmates, community groups) are particularly beneficial during life transitions.

We recently demonstrated that SIMIC processes can also be observed in UK veterans. Specifically, veterans’ social group maintenance/gain predicts enhanced psychological resources, which in turn predicts enhanced mental

health.