A social identity needs perspective to Veg*nism: Associations between perceived discrimination and well-being among Veg*ns in Turkey.

We examined the associations between perceived discrimination, social identity need satisfaction, and well-being among a sample of vegetarians and vegans (vegns) in Turkey. Drawing on the Rejection Identification Model, Motivated Identity Construction Theory, and the Social Cure approach, we tested whether perceived discrimination was related to the satisfaction of esteem, meaning, belonging, efficacy, distinctiveness, and continuity needs derived from vegn group membership and whether the satisfaction of these needs, in turn, was associated with psychological well-being and self-esteem. A total of 350 vegns living in Turkey participated in an online study and completed measures of perceived discrimination based on vegn group membership, vegn identity need satisfaction, psychological well-being, and global level self-esteem. As expected, perceived discrimination was prevalent among Turkish vegns (more so among vegans) and was strongly associated with the greater satisfaction of all identity needs. In turn, the satisfaction of efficacy and continuity needs was related to greater well-being, showing an indirect association between perceived discrimination and well-being. Findings also showed that the satisfaction of the esteem need predicted (less strongly) lower levels of psychological well-being and self-esteem, indicating only some aspects of need satisfaction through vegn identities to have positive implications for well-being. Findings are discussed in terms of the relevant socio-cultural environment, social identity theories, and stigmatization in the context of vegn group membership.