dappartenance

D'appartenance, or sense of belonging, is a psychological and sociological concept describing the perceived connection of an individual to a group, community, organization, or place. It encompasses feelings of acceptance, shared identity, and mutual obligation, and it can influence how a person engages with others and with the group.

In French, appartenance denotes belonging or membership, and the form d'appartenance is used to specify belonging to a group or category. In scholarly literature, the concept is parallel to the English terms “belongingness” or “sense of belonging,” and it overlaps with ideas of social identity and group identification.

Dimensions of d'appartenance typically include cognitive identification (recognizing oneself as part of the group), affective attachment (emotional ties to the group), and behavioral participation (alignment with group norms and active involvement). A positive sense of belonging is linked to well-being, resilience, and motivation, while excessive pressure to conform can lead to stress or exclusion for individuals who diverge from group norms.

Measurement and study of d'appartenance often involve scales of perceived belonging, social identification, and perceived support. The concept is investigated across contexts such as education (school belonging), workplaces (organizational culture), communities, and digital spaces, as well as in migration and national or regional belonging.

Applications and implications include informing policies and practices to foster inclusive communities, enhance engagement and performance in organizations, and support mental health by strengthening social ties and felt inclusion.