Group cohesion

Summary

Dr Peter Wyman explains that being part of a group has benefits and those collective strengths are generally recognized, so the desire to engage is there.

Group Cohesion is an outcome that results in kinship between peers. An environment in which integrated youth-adult networks share in experiential learning and maximize protective bonds can ultimately result in strong group cohesion as measured by personal sharing and peers naming each other as trusted friends. Through collaborative activities, participants develop skills for managing personal challenges and create shared healthy norms.

1"Group training that builds cohesive, healthy military units is promising for upstream suicide prevention and may be essential for ecological validity."

2 "Network health interventions target natural organizational groups to strengthen bonds, cohesion, and adaptive coping norms, all of which are logical targets for upstream military suicide prevention."

Notes and References

Social Science & Medicine Social Science & Medicine 296 (2022) 114737

In more connected, healthier units, vulnerable members can borrow strength from adaptive members. Stronger units also promote job fitness, as shown by W-CP’s impact reducing occupational problems, an effect that may reduce future problems that precipitate new instances of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In that sense, W-CP may specifically assist vulnerable Airmen in overcoming barriers to forming meaningful social connections.

Wingman-Connect Program’s interactive training created more dynamic relationship networks. Airmen in W-CP groups made more changes in who they named as valued connections, even as the overall average number of valued connections increased. The largest dynamic changes were for Airmen with elevated suicide risk in W-CP groups, who made on average three times more new valued connection nominations.

Group skill-building activities identify strengths of all group members, and members learn how a strong network supports all members’ health and fitness. W-CP uses high energy activities and peer-to-peer teaching; exercises inside and outside of training promote adoption of skills into unit culture.

JAMA Open Network, October, 2020

Research Outcomes – Evidence Based Key Findings include:

Increased class cohesion, morale, positive bonds, and acceptability of help seeking

Wingman Connect strengthens skills to grow and sustain healthy social bonds. Natural organization (tech school classes) units train together to incorporate skills into culture, build cohesion and shared purpose. The objective is preventing occupational and behavioral health problems.

Positive Impact on Training Classes Together & Developing Positive Connections. Wingman-Connect training increased class cohesion, morale, & positive bonds. Participants gain an understanding of group norms and how everyone influences the social network.

Wingman-Connect trained natural organization units (technical school classes) and combined individual and group skills. Participants learned skills to grow healthy bonds and draw resources in their social environment to manage career and personal challenges and meet goals. Group skills focused on building cohesion and a unit culture organized around healthy norms including shared mission and mutual support.

The study’s findings validate the underlying network health model: stronger bonds within a more cohesive healthy class reduced suicidal ideation and depression symptoms. These findings suggest that Wingman-Connect classes became increasingly unified around healthy norms and encouraged classmates who were vulnerable to mental health or occupational problems at a key juncture of military training, in addition to meeting their needs for belonging. Work with recent social network modeling show that cohesive groups serve a protective regulatory function through norms and pressures to conform.

NIMH

Novel Intervention Targeting Peer Social Networks of Military Members

The Wingman-Connect Program’s novel group intervention strengthens social bonds as well as peer network norms that incentivize healthy coping. This interactive training progresses from individual engagement (e.g., each participant shares career goals and values) to building group level skills and norms (e.g., mapping group strengths).

Program structure and key elements together strengthen relationship networks, cohesion, adaptive coping and group norms using group-based, interactive training based on research-informed strategies.

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In the context of preventative mental health care, "group cohesion" refers to the sense of solidarity, trust, and belonging among members of a group, which fosters mutual support and shared commitment to the group's objectives and each other's well-being. This concept is essential for understanding how social networks and community structures can contribute to individual and collective mental health resilience. Group cohesion is characterized by strong interpersonal relationships, a shared sense of purpose or goals, and a collective identity that binds members together.

Group cohesion plays a crucial role in preventative mental health for several reasons:

Social Support: Cohesive groups provide social support, which is a key protective factor against mental health issues. Members of cohesive groups are more likely to offer emotional support, practical help, and a sense of belonging to each other, which can buffer against stress and reduce the risk of developing mental health problems.
Promotion of Healthy Behaviors: Groups with high levels of cohesion can promote healthy behaviors and attitudes among their members. This includes encouraging help-seeking behavior, supporting recovery processes, and advocating for healthy lifestyle choices that can prevent mental health issues.
Reduction of Isolation and Loneliness: Being part of a cohesive group can significantly reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are known risk factors for various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.
Enhancement of Self-esteem and Identity: Group cohesion can enhance members' self-esteem and contribute to a positive sense of identity through the affirmation and recognition of peers. This positive reinforcement can protect against the negative impacts of stress and adversity on mental health.
Coping with Trauma and Adversity: Cohesive groups can provide a collective framework for coping with trauma, loss, or adversity. Shared experiences and mutual understanding within the group can facilitate healing and resilience in the face of challenges.

In preventative mental health care, fostering group cohesion is seen as a valuable strategy for building community resilience and supporting the mental well-being of individuals. This can involve creating opportunities for community engagement, facilitating group activities that promote bonding and mutual understanding, and developing interventions that strengthen social networks. Effective use of group cohesion in preventative strategies acknowledges the power of collective action and support in enhancing mental health outcomes.