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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Pudur, R., Mpofu, E., Prybutok, G. T., Meier, N., & Ingman, S. (2023) · Journal of Gerontological Nursing · doi:10.3928/00989134-20230816-03 · Cited by 4
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Cruwys, T., Haslam, S. A., Steffens, N. K., Haslam, C., & Reicher, S. D. (2025) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118164 · Cited by 11
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Figueroa, C. A., Vittinghoff, E., Aguilera, A., & Fukuoka, Y. (2021) · Preventive Medicine Reports · doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101325 · Cited by 4
Association of Paternal Workplace and Community Social Capital With Paternal Postnatal Depression and Anxiety: A Prospective Study
Doi, S. K., Isumi, A., & Fujiwara, T. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.782939 · Cited by 4
“Further, social capital induces structural aspects, such as belonging to a group (25), which improve mental health (26).”
Background
Symptoms of Paranoia Experienced by Students of Pakistani Heritage in England
Elahi, A., McIntyre, J. C., Thomas, J., Abernethy, L., Bentall, R. P., & White, R. G. (2022) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/nmd.0000000000001520 · Cited by 4
Isolation, Loneliness and Mental Health
Ingram, I., & Kelly, P. J. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-06932-1_7 · Cited by 4
Go‐along interview assessment of community health priorities for neighborhood renewal
Berg, K. A., DeRenzo, M., Carpiano, R. M., Lowenstein, I., & Perzynski, A. T. (2023) · American Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1002/ajcp.12661 · Cited by 6
Actually, today was a good day, so today we're doing all right: Parental perspectives on a dyadic group art therapy intervention for parent and infant wellbeing and attachments
Armstrong, V. G., & Roß, J. (2023) · The Arts in Psychotherapy · doi:10.1016/j.aip.2023.102057 · Cited by 5
System‐justifying beliefs buffer against psychological distress during the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Xu, R., Ding, Y., Guo, Y., & van Prooijen, J. (2024) · British Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjso.12779 · Cited by 4
Groups 4 Health in Later Life
Bentley, S. V., Haslam, C., Cruwys, T., Cao, Y., & Milic, J. (2020) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-818697-8.00037-6 · Cited by 3
Self-citation
Social Group Membership, Social Identities, and Mental Health Experiences in Urban Poor Communities in Ghana: A Critical Social Psychology Inquiry
Agyei, F., Aikins, A. D., Tutu, A. O., & Annor, F. (2024) · Community Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1007/s10597-024-01328-w · Cited by 3
“…(Lam et al., 2018; Sani et al., 2015), while others report that it leads to identity interferences and incompatibility, reducing psychological well-being (Iyer et al., 2009; Settles, 2004), and predicts future depressive symptoms among individuals with a history of depression (Cruwys et al., 2013).”
Connection, IT and Identity: SMS4dads as Health Promotion for New Fathers
Fletcher, R. J., Macdonald, J. A., & StGeorge, J. M. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-51027-5_39 · Cited by 3
Mental health and intentions to quit among nurses in Iran during COVID‐19 Pandemic: A social identity approach
Çakal, H., Keshavarzi, S., Ruhani, A., Dakhil‐Abbasi, G., & Ünver, H. (2022) · Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/casp.2666 · Cited by 2
“A shared sense of identity can also reduce depression (Cruwys et al., 2013) and improve self-esteem (Schmitt et al.”
Background
Suicidal ideation among men during COVID‐19: Examining the roles of loneliness, thwarted belongingness, and personality impairment
Ogrodniczuk, J. S., Sivagurunathan, M., Kealy, D., Rice, S., Seidler, Z. E., & Oliffe, J. L. (2023) · Scandinavian Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/sjop.12904 · Cited by 3
Effect of loneliness on mental health and cognition: A study on middle‐aged and older adults in India
Mishra, B., & Dhaka, S. (2023) · International Social Science Journal · doi:10.1111/issj.12454 · Cited by 3
Group Belonging and Social Identities in the Transition of Asylum-Seekers in Greece: Longitudinal Pathways to Adjustment
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“…of SIMIC comes from a variety of life transitions, including pursuing tertiary education [25], shifting into retirement [24], mother-hood [26], recovering from addiction [27], recovering from depression [28], the onset of chronic diseases [23], and adjusting to psychological trauma [29].”
Background
Eudaimonic Well-Being as a Moderator of the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Life Satisfaction
Joshanloo, M. (2024) · The Open Psychology Journal · doi:10.2174/0118743501298966240516055209 · Cited by 3
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Cowan, T., Pham, A. T., Elvevåg, B., & Cohen, A. S. (2021) · Psychiatry Research Communications · doi:10.1016/j.psycom.2021.100011 · Cited by 3
Social Disconnectedness and Mental Health Problems During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Moderated Mediation Model
Xiong, R., Xia, Y., & Tian, B. (2022) · International Journal of Public Health · doi:10.3389/ijph.2022.1604742 · Cited by 3
“Previous studies have linked mental health problems to a number of indicators of social disconnectedness, including having a small social network [10], absence of social network diversity [11], disrupted contact with network members [12], weak social group memberships [13] and lower involvement in social activities [1…”
Background
Biopsychological Effects of Social Participation on Aging: The Role of Identity-Affirming Music and the Arts
Paric, A. (2019) · Carleton University's Institutional Repository (MacOdrum Library, Carleton University) · doi:10.22215/etd/2019-13505 · Cited by 3
Could social support mediate the relationship between personality trait patterns and mental health in Chinese older adults: a nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in 2022
Liao, Y., Xiao, S., Zheng, X., Li, X., Xue, B., Yang, L., Zhang, M., Li, Q., Wu, Y., & Zhang, C. (2025) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-025-22449-1 · Cited by 4
“…programs that encourage social interaction and provide opportunities for older adults to engage in meaningful activities with others could help mitigate the negative effects of Neuroticism and enhance the positive effects of Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness on mental health [97].”
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Makas, S., Batmaz, H., Aslan, E. L., & Çeli̇k, E. (2025) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-025-08069-3 · Cited by 4
“Another study suggests that feeling part of a group protects against psychological and emotional issues (Cruwys et al., 2013).”
Mental health literacy predicts depression in older adults in China: an interpretable machine learning model
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Physical activity and depressive symptoms among college students: positive mental health as a mediator
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“(ii) Social fortification: Flourishing mental health individuals exhibit increased social approach behaviors through physical activity, creating supportive networks that buffer against stress-induced depression (Cruwys et al., 2013).”
From uniform to belonging: how fashion imagery of school uniforms shapes students’ psychological capital via social identification
Di, Y., Liu, L., & Zhang, Y. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1773948 · Cited by 3
“Subsequent evidence indicates that the establishment and maintenance of social identities enhance perceived social support and psychological resilience while reducing the risk of depression (Cruwys et al., 2013; Iyer et al., 2009).”
Social identities reduce self-focused attention in social anxiety
Donaldson, J. L., Cruwys, T., Dawel, A., Stevens, M. V. A., & Chen, J. (2026) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2026.105010 · Cited by 2
Self-citation
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Seifi, S. G., Adeli, R., & Holden, M. (2020) · International Journal of Community Well-Being · doi:10.1007/s42413-020-00062-x · Cited by 2
Greater baseline connectivity of the salience and negative affect circuits are associated with natural improvements in anxiety over time in untreated participants
Holt-Gosselin, B., Keller, A. S., Chesnut, M., Ling, R., Grisanzio, K. A., & Williams, L. M. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.039 · Cited by 2
The influence of social identity on depression and its theoretical explanation
Yan, L., Yiren, Y. U. A. N., Wang, J., ZHANG, Y., & Linchuan, Y. A. N. G. (2022) · Advances in Psychological Science · doi:10.3724/sp.j.1042.2023.00657 · Cited by 3
Emerging Adults’ Experiences of Managing Social Group Disruptions
Hawkins, J. M., D’Aniello, C., Fife, S. T., Cravens, J. P., & Bean, R. A. (2024) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1177/21676968241233137 · Cited by 2
“This aligns with ﬁ ndings that social group memberships are not only protective against depression, but also curative (Cruwys et al., 2013).”
Background
Financing for mental health: A smart investment, not an expense
Kline, S., Sale, J., & Saxena, S. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-18529-8.00054-8 · Cited by 2
The non-linear correlation between the severity of alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms in the Chinese Wa ethnic minority
Liu, J., Feng, X., Liu, Y., Xiao, L., Tong, R., Wang, Y., Lu, Z., Jia, F., Zhang, X., Li, Z., et al. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1430840 · Cited by 2
Multiple Group Membership and Trust Protect Against Distress in the Context of Unwanted Sexual Experiences at a Youth Mass Gathering
Foran, A., Cruwys, T., Rathbone, J. A., Ferris, L. J., Jetten, J., McMahon, G., Manunta, E., Whelan, É., & Muldoon, O. T. (2025) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/08862605251318278 · Cited by 2
“Over the past decade, research using the social identity approach has consistently shown that people who belong to multiple social groups tend to have better psychological well-being than those who belong to fewer social groups (Cruwys et al., 2013; Griffin et al., 2025; Jetten et al., 2015).”
Self-citation
The association between ‘Vegetarian for Life’ diet quality, social connection and depressive symptoms within Western and Indian regional groups
Lee, M. F., Matharu, G. K., Baltrotsky, K., & Best, T. (2025) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2025.120235 · Cited by 2
BDNF–TrkB signaling as a therapeutic target in neuropsychiatric disorders
Hill, R., Du, X., & Wu, Y. C. (2014) · Journal of Receptor Ligand and Channel Research · doi:10.2147/jrlcr.s50404 · Cited by 2
“A recent study found that the act of joining social groups had positive benefits on depression symptoms and decreased the risk of depression relapse in a dose-dependent manner.(229) Similarly, social networking benefitted schizophrenia patients, with positive effects persisting long after implementation.”
Mental health recovery is social
Holttum, S. (2014) · Mental Health and Social Inclusion · doi:10.1108/mhsi-05-2014-0014 · Cited by 2
Evaluation of an Intensive Outpatient Program for Combat Veterans With PTSD
Cameron, A., Capone, C., & Mamon, D. (2018) · Military Behavioral Health · doi:10.1080/21635781.2018.1436479 · Cited by 2
“Higher levels of perceived social support are associated with improved overall mental health (Cruwys et al., 2014; 2013; Fink, Gallaway, & Millikan, 2014), and multiple research studies have found perceived social support to be a protective factor for PTSD and depression following a military…”
Background
Group dynamics and mental health in organized youth sports
Vella, S. A., Liddle, S. K., Vierimaa, M., & Evans, M. B. (2020) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-816336-8.00016-0 · Cited by 2

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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