Belonging

Write a 3–4-page assessment in which you use research articles to examine how social connections and support can promote physical and mental health.

Social psychology can help us understand our relationships with others.

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Library Resources

The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course. Note: Some of the articles listed are fairly old and are included here because they are considered seminal works in the field.

• Cockshaw, W. D., Shochet, I. M., & Obst, P. L. (2013). General belongingness, workplace belongingness, and depressive symptoms. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 23(3), 240–251.
• Cyranowski, J. M., Zill, N., Bode, R., Butt, Z., Kelly, M. A. R., Pilkonis, P. A., & . . . Cella, D. (2013). Assessing social support, companionship, and distress: National Institute of Health (NIH) Toolbox Adult Social Relationship Scales. Health Psychology, 32(3), 293–301.
• Hogg, M. A., & Hains, S. C. (1996). Intergroup relations and group solidarity: Effects of group identification and social beliefs on depersonalized attraction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(2), 295–309.
• Kaniasty, K. (2012). Predicting social psychological well-being following trauma: The role of postdisaster social support. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4(1), 22–33.
• Major, B., Mendes, W. B., & Dovidio, J. F. (2013). Intergroup relations and health disparities: A social psychological perspective. Health Psychology, 32(5), 514–524.
• Mejias, N. J., Gill, C. J., & Shpigelman, C. (2014). Influence of a support group for young women with disabilities on sense of belonging. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 61(2), 208–220.
• Uchino, B. N., Cawthon, R. M., Smith, T. W., Light, K. C., McKenzie, J., Carlisle, M., & . . . Bowen, K. (2012). Social relationships and health: Is feeling positive, negative, or both (ambivalent) about your social ties related to telomeres? Health Psychology, 31(6), 789–796.
• Wallace, T. L., Ye, F., & Chhuon, V. (2012). Subdimensions of adolescent belonging in high school. Applied Developmental Science, 16(3), 122–139.

Assessment Instructions

To prepare for this assessment, search in the Capella library for research articles on how social connections and support can promote physical and mental health. Choose two research articles to use in this assessment.

Using the two articles you found, include the following in your assessment. Provide the APA citation for each article.

• Describe the data collection methods used in the studies you selected.
• Describe the designs used in the studies.
• Explain the arguments the authors make to support their positions.
• Explain the findings of the research.
• How might you apply these findings to better understand your own relationships with others?

Your submitted assessment should be 3–4 pages in length excluding title page and reference page. Be sure to follow APA guidelines for format and style. You do not need to use resources other than the two articles you selected, but you may if you wish.

Additional Requirements

• Include a title page and reference page.
• At least two current scholarly or professional resources.
• APA format.
• Times New Roman font, 12 point.
• Double spaced.

Belonging Scoring Guide

CRITERIA NON-PERFORMANCE BASIC PROFICIENT DISTINGUISHED Describe the data collection methods used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Does not identify the data collection methods used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Identifies the data collection methods used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Describes the data collection methods used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Describes the data collection methods used in research studies in the field of social psychology; considers the benefits and limitations of the methods. Describe the designs used in research studies in the field of social psychology.Does not identify the designs used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Identifies the designs used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Describes the designs used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Analyzes the designs used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Explain arguments made by researchers in the field of social psychology.Does not summarize arguments made by researchers in the field of social psychology. Summarizes arguments made by researchers in the field of social psychology. Explains arguments made by researchers in the field of social psychology. Explains arguments made by researchers in the field of social psychology; examines the validity and credibility of the arguments and the researchers. Explain research findings in the field of social psychology.Does not summarize research findings in the field of social psychology. Summarizes research findings in the field of social psychology. Explains research findings in the field of social psychology. Analyzes research findings in the field of social psychology and relates the findings to theory. Explain how research findings in the field of social psychology can help individuals understand relationships with others.Does not explain how research findings in the field of social psychology can help individuals understand relationships with others. Explains how research findings in the field of social psychology can help individuals understand relationships with others, but explanation is vague or omits key elements. Explains how research findings in the field of social psychology can help individuals understand relationships with others. Analyzes how research findings in the field of social psychology can help individuals understand relationships with others. Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.Writing does not support a central idea. Does not use correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional. Writing supports an idea but is inconsistent and contains major errors of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Writing coherently supports a central idea with few errors of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Writing is coherent, using evidence to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional. Use APA format and style.Does not use APA format and style. Uses APA format and style but inconsistently and with errors. Uses APA format and style consistently and with few errors. Uses correct APA format and style consistently and with no errors.