The Importance of a Child's Social Identity

童年是一个重要的时期社会发展，特别是在形成社会身份，或者一个人的意义上是基于小组的隶属关系。对于一些孩子，他们对自己的感受和社会身份的感受可能会有助于他们的抑郁症的脆弱性。沮丧is a complex condition influenced by a range of factors, but there is evidence that social factors can play a critical role.

什么是社会身份？

Every child has a social identity, which is how we perceive our various roles in society in relation to others. Whether it is through social position, culture or ethnicity, interests, achievements, or beliefs, children derive a sense of pride, self-worth, and consistency from their social identities.

The People Around Us

In order to have a social identity, we need people around us to confirm or deny. In order to identify as "Kelly's best friend," Kelly must confirm it.

我们周围的人也会影响我们的社会形式，以及我们对自己的感受。如果孩子非常害羞withdrawn，可能是其他孩子会接受那个孩子的社会线索并孤单地离开他们，从而确认孩子的社会形式是“害羞和撤回”。反过来，孩子可能在社会角色缺乏满足感，feel lonely，或者沮丧试图摆脱这种身份。

为什么社会身份很重要

社会身份允许人们成为群体的一部分，并在社会世界中获得归属感。这些身份在塑造自我形象中发挥着重要作用。

The more people identify with a particular group, the more that group plays a role in shaping how people feel about themselves. Being a member of that group becomes important for how a person regards themselves and their abilities, so gaining status within the group can help people feel more confident, satisfied, and respected.

社会identification is important because it influences how people see themselves and how they interact with others. If people have a positive view of their identity within a group, they are more likely to relate well to others in that group and feel positive emotions about themselves.

Researchers suggest that other important benefits of social identity include:

• It helps foster prosocial actions like caring for other receiving social support
• It helps satisfy the psychological need for esteem from others
• 它为人们提供了社会团体中的归属感

Everyone Is Different

But not all children who experience changes or threats to their social identities will experience depression. Instead, it is thought that those who identify with a limited number of social roles are more at risk of developing depression when a role is lost or threatened.

For example, a child who only sees themselves as a star soccer player may experience discomfort and a sense of loss if they suddenly become injured and is unable to play soccer anymore. The child may lose their status as a star athlete, spend less time with their teammates and friends, and ultimately may see a decrease in their self-esteem, whichopens the door for depression。

这并不是说孩子无法发展新的社会身份，但它只是突出了孩子如何与他们周围的世界视为世界的重要性。

如何支持孩子的身份

作为父母，您可以通过承认对他们很重要的内容来支持您孩子的社交角色。尽量不要对任何一个社会角色的重点放置太多。相反，鼓励他们尝试新的和不同的事情，并提醒他们在生活中发挥的其他重要角色，比如孩子，孙子，兄弟姐妹，堂兄，学生，社区成员，青少年倡导者，邻居等。

It is normal for your child to feel sad after a disappointment or the loss of a significant relationship, but if you notice that your child is showing抑郁症状, seek advice from their pediatrician or other mental health providers.

Signs to Watch Out For

您孩子可能具有社会问题或抑郁症状的迹象包括：

• Losing interest in activities they once loved
• Sleeping more or less than normal
• 遇到专注于学校的工作
• 进食或小于正常
• 表达悲伤或绝望的感觉
• Being more irritable than usual
• Becoming isolated from friends or family