Newson, Martha ORCID: 0000-0001-7700-9562 , Haslam, S. Alexander, Haslam, Catherine, Cruwys, Tegan and Roseman, Leor (2024) Social identity processes as a vehicle for therapeutic success in psychedelic treatment. Nature Mental Health, 2. pp. 1010-1017. ISSN 2731-6076 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00302-5)

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Abstract

The recent surge in psychedelics research has identified promising therapeutic uses for conditions including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia, depression, and addiction. However, medicalized forms often lack a vital ingredient: a social group dimension. By integrating psychedelics into group settings and leveraging their capacity to foster social identities, the effects of psychedelic-assisted therapies could be enhanced, echoing their potency in Indigenous and community contexts. We outline the relevance of the ‘social cure’ model, supported by strong empirical evidence in social identity and health literature, emphasizing the importance of group contexts and social identity-based relationships in the theraputic effects of psychedelics. We present practical implications for therapeutic practice and identify future directions and challenges for social cure research, offering an agenda for theory-informed work to investigate the role of social identities and group connections in psychedelic treatment.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	psychedelics, psychedelic-assisted therapies, social cure, social identity, mental health, wellbeing, group psychotherapy
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Inequalities Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	09 Oct 2024 09:58
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/47446

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