Dealing with social exclusion

This chapter reviews research on psychological strategies that have demonstrated some efficacy against social exclusion. It suggests the use of other strategies, which have been tested in other domains of psychological wellbeing and discusses their effectiveness against exclusion. The starting point to any evaluation of strategies for coping with exclusion is to acknowledge the negative effects of the experience on the individual’s wellbeing. An acceptance-based intervention has never been applied to the context of social exclusion. Positive reappraisal is a classical strategy of emotion regulation and takes place when a person tries to create positive meaning to a negative situation in terms of personal growth to decrease its emotional impact. Social exclusion threatens at least four fundamental needs: self-esteem, belonging, control, and meaningful existence. Research has focused almost entirely on self-administered strategies, although surrounding people may play an important role in the victim’s recovery from a negative state.