Seeking high status in a group one isn’t passionate about—does it pay off? Recent research from Cornell says it doesn’t.

The researcher conducted 10 experiments with 3,554 participants. They discovered that having more high-status roles generally improved well-being, but only in groups that mattered to individuals. Holding esteemed positions in significant groups boosted self-esteem and feelings of acceptance, rather than enhancing power or control. Conversely, well-being didn’t improve with status in less meaningful groups, regardless of how status was defined.

“The more I researched this, I discovered that maybe we can differentiate groups according to how intrinsically important they are to you,” they explain. “That’s a bit of a subjective idea. There’s quite a bit of research looking at how we identify in our groups, and that we can identify more with some groups than others. And then the question becomes, to what extent does the importance of your groups—and your standing in those groups—matter?”

Status and happiness

In the initial five studies, the researchers delved into the connection between status and well-being within the participants’ existing groups. In the first study, 309 participants listed their group affiliations, rated their status in each, assessed their current well-being, and noted the importance of each group, along with various personality and demographic factors.

They found a positive link between status in these groups and well-being. Moreover, the more groups where participants held high status, the better their well-being. Conversely, lower status in groups corresponded to lower well-being.

Study 2 (alongside three similar trials) involved 2,156 workers randomly placed in different scenarios where their status in two groups—either important or unimportant—was manipulated. Those in the important-group scenario consistently reported higher well-being than those in the unimportant one.

Study 3 followed a longitudinal approach, tracking 212 college sophomores over a year. Participants listed their university groups, rated their status in each, and indicated their importance. Across both time points, higher status in important groups correlated with greater well-being.

“Your standing in your group is often associated with your power,” the researcher concludes, “and that’s not to say that high status doesn’t increase your sense of control and influence. It’s that even if it does, that doesn’t make you happy.”