Bonding through adversity: Effects of Brexit and <scp>COVID</scp> ‐19 lockdown on identity fusion and pro‐group behavior

Abstract In early 2020, the UK experienced two significant events: Brexit and a nationwide pandemic lockdown. Brexit led to a divisive split between those in favor of leaving the EU and those in favor of remaining. In contrast, the lockdown initially prompted unity and cooperation across the nation. This study, drawing on imagistic events and identity fusion concepts, examines how Brexit and the lockdown influenced both group polarization and cohesion. We conducted a natural experiment ( N = 703), collecting data before and after Brexit's official withdrawal and following the lockdown's implementation. Our goal was to explore these events' impact on emotional states, identity fusion with political and social groups, and subsequent effects on pro‐group behaviors and polarization. Both Brexit and the national lockdown had an impact on participants' emotional well‐being but also forged enduring memories and played a role in shaping their identities. Individuals who displayed a stronger attachment to their political affiliations exhibited heightened levels of polarization. Furthermore, Brexit initiated a process of weakening the bonds among Britons themselves, and even the national lockdown did not reverse these trends. Nevertheless, the lockdown did contribute to the restoration of identity fusion with other Europeans, which had been undermined by Brexit.