Threat appraisal mediates the link between self-uncertainty and group identification

Guided by uncertainty-identity theory and the biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat, the present research investigated the relationships between self-uncertainty, challenge or threat resource appraisals, and individuals’ group identification. Past literature has established the positive relationship between self-uncertainty and group identification; however, existing research has yet to empirically study the role of challenge and threat appraisals in the relationship between self-uncertainty and group identification, either by mediating or moderating this relationship. Across three studies (N = 694), no evidence supported the hypothesized interaction effect of self-uncertainty and challenge/threat resource appraisal on group identification. However, exploratory mediation analyses found threat appraisal as a significant, positive mediator between self-uncertainty and group identification in each study. Challenge appraisal, while negatively related to self-uncertainty, was not a significant mediator. This replication of the mediation effect across different contexts (university students and STEM professionals) illustrates the broader importance of threat appraisal as a potential mechanism linking self-uncertainty to social identity processes.