Membership Has Its Privileges: Group Identity Benefits US Troops

The well-known phrase "membership has its §privileges," brings to mind the benefits §belonging to a select group confer on an §individual. On closer consideration, it's clear that §some of these benefits are instrumental: the §receipt of resources which are actually provided, or §at least perceived as available. Others §are based on something much less tangible. The §latter type of benefits, and the advantages they §impart to each of us, are the subject of this book. §What changes about someone when they gain entrance §to a select group? Why might groups, perceived as §high-status, be so alluring to join? What are the §benefits to individuals of belonging to such well-§regarded groups? We'll explore these questions in §the context of examining research I conducted on 210 §US combat soldiers deployed to Iraq. The main §findings from this research suggest that membership §in esteemed groups enhance self-esteem. And §belonging to such groups can buffer the detrimental §effects of stress, even combat stress. This book §will be of interest to anyone curious about the §allure and benefits of groups, as well as §researchers studying identity, stress, combat, or §coping.