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Construct validity of the need to belong scale: mapping the nomological network
Mark R Leary1, Kristine M Kelly, Catherine A Cottrell
1a Department of Psychology and Neuroscience , Duke University.
Journal of Personality Assessment
|August 3, 2013
Summary
The Need to Belong Scale measures the desire for social connection. This scale is distinct from social contact desires and attachment styles, but relates to personality traits and rejection sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- The need to belong is a fundamental human motivation.
- Understanding its construct validity is crucial for psychological research.
- Previous research has explored related concepts like social contact and attachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the construct validity of the Need to Belong Scale.
- To differentiate the need to belong from related social constructs.
- To identify psychological correlates of the need to belong.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized findings from nine empirical studies.
- Utilized correlational analyses to assess relationships between variables.
- Examined associations with personality traits, attachment styles, and social identity.
Main Results:
- The need to belong is distinct from, though correlated with, desires for social contact (e.g., extraversion, affiliation).
- Need to belong scores were unrelated to insecure attachment or unfulfilled acceptance needs.
- Positive correlations were found with extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and socially defined identity.
Conclusions:
- The Need to Belong Scale demonstrates good construct validity.
- The need to belong is a unique construct related to personality and social functioning.
- It is associated with emotional responses to rejection and interpersonal values.
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