Professor Alex Haslam - The Social Cure

Dr Virginia Reid talks with one of the co-authors of The New Psychology of Health: Unlocking the Social Cure (2018).

Professor Alex Haslam talks about how he and his team have discovered that people who are more socially connected tend to live longer, recover more quickly from illness, and experience better overall physical and mental health. These benefits are not just about having company—they reflect the powerful influence of social identity. When people see themselves as part of a meaningful group, whether it’s family, a workplace, a community, or a sports team, this shared identity provides a source of strength, purpose, and resilience.

Social ties have been shown to be as beneficial to health as not smoking, maintaining a good diet, and regular exercise. This is because our group memberships shape how we cope with stress, how supported we feel, and how we make health decisions. Belonging can reduce feelings of loneliness, increase motivation to follow medical advice, and even affect how our bodies respond to treatment.

In therapy and healthcare, outcomes improve when there’s a strong relationship between practitioner and patient—especially when they share a common understanding or identity. When people feel like their therapist or doctor is “on their side” or “one of us,” trust increases, communication improves, and treatment is more likely to succeed.

Health isn’t just an individual matter—it’s deeply social. Our connections to others shape how we think, feel, and behave. This is true across many health challenges: from depression and addiction to trauma recovery and chronic pain. People are more likely to recover and thrive when they can maintain or rebuild meaningful group relationships.

For health services, this means recognising that fostering connection and identity should be part of the care process. Encouraging participation in group programs, peer networks, and supportive communities can be just as important as medication or clinical treatment. Social identity is not just about who we are—it’s also a powerful pathway to better health.

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