Cited by 525Health disparities and outcomesMental Health Treatment and AccessAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

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Social group memberships protect against future depression, alleviate depression symptoms and prevent depression relapse

Cruwys, Tegan, Dingle, Genevieve A., Haslam, Catherine, Haslam, S. Alexander, Jetten, Jolanda, Morton, Thomas A.·2013·Social Science & Medicine

DOI 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.09.013

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Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that a lack of social connectedness is strongly related to current depression and increases vulnerability to future depression. However, few studies speak to the potential benefits of fostering social connectedness among persons already depressed or to the protective properties of this for future depression trajectories. We suggest that this may be in part because connectedness tends to be understood in terms of (difficult to establish) ties to specific individuals rather than ties to social groups. The current study addresses these issues by using population data to demonstrate that the number of groups that a person belongs to is a strong predictor of subsequent depression (such that fewer groups predicts more depression), and that the unfolding benefits of social group memberships are stronger among individuals who are depressed than among those who are non-depressed. These analyses control for initial group memberships, initial depression, age, gender, socioeconomic status, subjective health status, relationship status and ethnicity, and were examined both proximally (across 2 years, N = 5055) and distally (across 4 years, N = 4087). Depressed respondents with no group memberships who joined one group reduced their risk of depression relapse by 24%; if they joined three groups their risk of relapse reduced by 63%. Together this evidence suggests that membership of social groups is both protective against developing depression and curative of existing depression. The implications of these results for public health and primary health interventions are discussed.

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Nguyet, V. N. H., Khanh, H. N. T., Nguyen-Thanh, L., Đức, D. M., & Thanh, P. Q. (2020) · International Journal of Mental Health · doi:10.1080/00207411.2020.1855050 · Cited by 13
“On the other hand, involving in social activities later in life was shown to be significantly associated with fewer depressive symptoms among the elderly (Cruwys et al., 2013; Yang et al., 2017).”
Background
An examination of social group memberships in patients with eating disorders, carers, and healthy controls.
Rowlands, K., Willmott, D., Cardi, V., Bryan, D. C., Cruwys, T., & Treasure, J. (2021) · European eating disorders review · doi:10.1002/erv.2840 · Cited by 6
“…with measures of wellbeing, including greater life satisfaction, greater self‐esteem and lower depression in various community samples of students, new parents, retirees, and also in adults with anxiety or depression (Bentley et al., 2020; Cruwys et al., 2013, 2016, 2020; Haslam et al., 2019).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Resilience in late adolescence/young adulthood: Rising to the occasion?
Zlotnick, C., Manor‐Lavon, I., & Srulovici, E. (2022) · Military Psychology · doi:10.1080/08995605.2021.2017190 · Cited by 13
“Self-identity is part of the late adolescence/young adulthood stage of development and is characterized by reporting membership to different groups including those related to national origin, religion, political affiliation, or military unit (Cruwys et al., 2013).”
Background
More than just another bib: group dynamics in an elite Nordic ski team
Cascagnette, J. C. W., Benson, A. J., Cruwys, T., Haslam, S. A., & Bruner, M. W. (2020) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2020.1840040 · Cited by 14
“…including heightened self-esteem (Jetten et al., 2015), better adjustment (Iyer et al., 2009), greater resilience (Steffens et al., 2016), protection against depression relapse (Cruwys et al., 2013), increased well-being (Brook et al., 2008), and better recovery after illness (Haslam et al., 2008).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Quality of Life Enhancement Programme for Individuals with Mood Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Chen, Y.-L., Pan, A., Hsiung, P., & Chung, L. (2015) · Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.hkjot.2015.04.001 · Cited by 13
“Furthermore, the group treatment format is more cost effective than individual therapy (Cruwys et al., 2013; Hans & Hiller, 2013).”
Background
“Hey, I’m still here!”: Maintaining, managing and rebuilding social connections after brain tumour
Cubis, L., Ownsworth, T., Pinkham, M. B., Foote, M. C., Green, H. J., & Chambers, S. K. (2022) · Neuropsychological Rehabilitation · doi:10.1080/09602011.2022.2028640 · Cited by 13
“This finding aligns well with the SIMIC which asserts that pre-existing social groups provide social capital in the event of a chronic illness (Cruwys et al., 2013; Cruwys et al., 2014; Haslam et al., 2008; Haslam et al., 2009; Haslam et al., 2018).”
Result
Social Connectedness Improves Public Mental Health: Investigating Bidirectional Relationships in the New Zealand Attitudes and Values SurveyPreprint
Saeri, A. K., Cruwys, T., Barlow, F. K., Stronge, S., & Sibley, C. G. (2017) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/kbwp9 · Cited by 12
Self-citation
Association between Social Participation and Remaining Teeth and Urban–Rural Difference among Older Adults in China
Yang, L., Guo, D., Zheng, J., Guo, Y., & Li, Z. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20021283 · Cited by 11
Gender and the Social Cure in Undergraduate Physics Students: Physics Identity, Self-efficacy, Belonging, and Wellbeing
Bottomley, E., Wild, V., Miles, P. J., Mavor, K. I., & Kohnle, A. (2023) · International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education · doi:10.1007/s10763-023-10406-6 · Cited by 18
“The social cure has also been associated with fewer mental health problems (e.g. Cruwys et al., 2013).”
Background
Social ties and social identification: Influences on well-being in young adults
Mehrpour, A., Hoffman, A., Widmer, E. D., & Staerklé, C. (2024) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075241263239 · Cited by 17
“…revealed across a variety of health contexts, including mental health (H¨ausser et al., 2020), stroke recovery processes (C. Haslam et al., 2008), prevention and alleviation of depressive symptoms (Cruwys et al., 2013, 2014a, 2014b), and adjustment with aging transitions (C. Haslam et al., 2014).”
Impact of social isolation on change in brain volume in community-dwelling older Japanese people: The NEIGE Study.
Murayama, H., Iizuka, A., Machida, M., Amagasa, S., Inoue, S., Fujiwara, T., & Shobugawa, Y. (2024) · Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (Print) · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2024.105642 · Cited by 10
Resolving Not to Quit: Evidence That Salient Group Memberships Increase Resilience in a Sensorimotor Task
Green, J., Rees, T., Peters, K., Sarkar, M., & Haslam, S. A. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02579 · Cited by 11
Self-citation
Personal experiences of individuals who are recovering from a drug or alcohol dependency and are involved in social-based recovery groups
Rettie, H., Hogan, L., & Cox, W. M. (2019) · Drugs Education Prevention and Policy · doi:10.1080/09687637.2019.1597337 · Cited by 11
“In individuals with depression, attending multiple social groups significantly reduces rates of relapse in comparison to those who attend one group (Cruwys et al., 2013).”
Background
Hispanic health disparities and housing: Comparing measured and self-reported health metrics among housed and homeless Latin individuals
Castañeda, E., Smith, B., & Vetter, E. (2020) · Journal of Migration and Health · doi:10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100008 · Cited by 11
“This difference in social connections may help xplain different health outcomes than the housed population, as previus literature indicates ( Johnstone et al., 2015 , Toro and Tulloch, 2008 , ruwys et al., 2013 ).”
Result
Are students less likely to respond to routinely delivered psychological treatment? A retrospective cohort analysis
Barnett, P., Saunders, R., Buckman, J. E. J., Cardoso, A., Cirkovic, M., Leibowitz, J., Main, N., Naqvi, S. A., Singh, S., Stott, J. C. H., et al. (2022) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152348 · Cited by 11
The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Social Connectedness and Psychological Distress in U.S. Adults with Chronic Diseases
King, B. T., Adepoju, O. E., Woodard, L., Oluyomi, A., Zhang, X., Amos, C. I., & Badr, H. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20136218 · Cited by 12
Structured activity and multiple group memberships as mechanisms of increased depression amongst young people not in employment, education or training
Berry, C., Easterbrook, M. J., Empson, L., & Fowler, D. G. (2019) · Early Intervention in Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/eip.12798 · Cited by 12
How Refugees in South Africa Use Mobile Phones for Social Connectedness
Vuningoma, S., Lorini, M. R., & Chigona, W. (2021) · International Conference on Communities and Technologies (C&T) · doi:10.1145/3461564.3461569 · Cited by 11
“An increased sense of social connectedness can help people to obtain emotional wellbeing and reduce feelings of isolation [57], to the point of diminishing the rate and prevalence of depression [15].”
Background
Greater University Identification—But not Greater Contact—Leads to More Life Satisfaction: Evidence from a Spanish Longitudinal Study
Wakefield, J. R. H., Sani, F., & Herrera, M. (2018) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12125 · Cited by 12
“…have highlighted the relationship between group identification and numerous positive outcomes, including reduced depression, anxiety, and stress (Cruwys et al., 2013; Sani et al., 2015b; Steffens, Haslam, Schuh, Jetten, & van Dick, 2016; Wakefield, Bickley, & Sani, 2013), increased self-esteem…”
Background
ENTREVISTA MOTIVACIONAL
Dornellas, L. H., & Afonso, M. P. D. (2024) · Seven Editora eBooks · doi:10.56238/medestvida-002 · Cited by 11
The Temporal Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Loneliness: The Moderating Role of Self-Compassion
Wang, S., Tang, Q., Lv, Y., Tao, Y., Liu, X., Zhang, L., & Liu, G. (2023) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs13060472 · Cited by 16
“Meanwhile, individuals with a sense of belonging to a group were found to be less likely to experience depression two and four years later [25].”
Background
The role of group memberships and school identification on student well‐being
Dunstone, E. K., Reynolds, K. J., & Cárdenas, D. (2023) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjso.12685 · Cited by 18
“Trust people you’ve never worked with” – A social network visualization of teamwork, cohesion, social support, and mental health in NHS Covid personnel
Schilling, S., Armaou, M., Morrison, Z., Carding, P. N., Bricknell, M. C. M., & Connelly, V. J. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1293171 · Cited by 11
The relationships between exercise and affective states: a naturalistic, longitudinal study of recreational runners
Bonham, T., Pepper, G. V., & Nettle, D. (2018) · PeerJ · doi:10.7717/peerj.4257 · Cited by 10
“Some runs may have been completed socially, but Strava data did not allow us to identify these, and hence test whether social running has different affective consequences than non-social running (Cruwys et al., 2013).”
Background
Sociability‐based fitness approach in Parkinson’s disease: Comparison with conventional rehabilitation
Mitsui, T., Arii, Y., Tsukamoto, A., Taniguchi, K., Mabuchi, M., Shimizu, A., Sumitomo, N., & Maki, Y. (2021) · European Journal of Neurology · doi:10.1111/ene.14798 · Cited by 11
“Group- based non- pharmaceutical interventions are expected to promote success through social interaction [17,18] and have been applied in several disorders such as neuropsychiatric diseases including PD [19], traumatic brain injury [20], stroke [21], dementia [22], schizophrenia [23], depression [24], Huntington's di…”
Background
Examination of the Moderating Role of Household Income in the Association Between Cognitive Social Capital and Subjective Well-Being Among Rural Older Adults in Northeast China
Zhang, J., Tian, Y., & Lü, N. (2021) · Research on Aging · doi:10.1177/01640275211029014 · Cited by 10
The nuances of “the social cure” for people who experience psychosis
Hogg, L. I., Smith, L. G. E., Morrison, A. P., Prosser, A. M. B., & Kurz, T. (2022) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.2848 · Cited by 11
Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Youth Housing and Homelessness Services
Farnish, K. A., & Schoenfeld, E. A. (2022) · Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal · doi:10.1007/s10560-022-00830-y · Cited by 10
Continuance Intention of Online Healthcare Communities
Yang, J., Luo, B., & Tsai, F.-S. (2022) · Journal of Organizational and End User Computing · doi:10.4018/joeuc.302892 · Cited by 10
Hacia una estrategia de participación en y para la salud mental: escuela de monitores en salud mental comunitaria La Pintana
Encina, E. P., & Minoletti, A. (2017) · Revista Chilena de Salud Pública · doi:10.5354/0719-5281.2016.44927 · Cited by 9
Economics of Healthy Aging in India: A Multidimensional Perspective
Malik, M. A., Singh, S., & Pattanaik, F. (2022) · IZA Journal of Labor Policy · doi:10.2478/izajolp-2022-0004 · Cited by 13
The role of group membership continuity and multiple memberships on mental well‐being amongst post‐operative stoma patients
Bule, B., & Frings, D. (2015) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.4006 · Cited by 9
“Similar findings have been observed amongst those with acquired brain injury [3] and depression [6].”
Result
Longitudinal associations between social relationships at age 30 and internalising symptoms at age 42: findings from the Northern Swedish Cohort
Landstedt, E., Gustafsson, P. E., Johansson, K., & Hammarström, A. (2015) · International Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1007/s00038-015-0691-x · Cited by 10
“Most existing research points to a causal relationship from poor social relationships to poor mental health (Beauregard et al. 2011; Cruwys et al. 2013).”
Background
Social Sciences and Health: A Framework for Building and Strengthening Social Connectedness
Haslam, C., & Haslam, S. A. (2019) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781911623069.003 · Cited by 9
Self-citation
Modeling cohesion change in group counseling: The role of client characteristics, group variables, and leader behaviors.
Tucker, J. R., Wade, N. G., Abraham, W. T., Bitman, R. L., Cornish, M. A., & Post, B. C. (2019) · Journal of Counseling Psychology · doi:10.1037/cou0000403 · Cited by 10

Authors: Cruwys, T., Dingle, G. A., Haslam, C., Haslam, S. A., Jetten, J., & Morton, T. A.
Affiliations: The University of Queensland (AU)
University of Exeter (GB)
Corresponding author: Cruwys, Tegan
ORCID: Cruwys, Tegan
Dingle, Genevieve A.
Haslam, Catherine
Haslam, S. Alexander
Jetten, Jolanda
Morton, Thomas A.
Venue: Social Science & Medicine
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2013-12
Volume: 98
Pages: 179-186
ISSN: 0277-9536 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.09.013
OpenAlex: W1974529215
Cited by: 525
References: 90
Citations by year: 2026: 32 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 63 · 2021: 54 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 19
FWCI: 29.59
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Social Science & Medicine (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders: National Institute of Aging in the United States
consortium of UK government departments co-ordinated by the Office for National Statistics
Topics: Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords: social group membership, depression, depression relapse, social connectedness, social ties, protective factors, depression prevention, social networks
MeSH terms: Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Depression, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Middle Aged, Secondary Prevention, Social Participation

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Social group memberships protect against future depression, alleviate depression symptoms and prevent depression relapse

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