Feeling connected again

Interventions that increase social identification reduce depression symptoms in community and clinical settings

Cruwys, T., Alexander Haslam, S., Dingle, G., Jetten, J., Hornsey, M., Desdemona Chong, E., & Oei, T. (2014). Feeling connected again: Interventions that increase social identification reduce depression symptoms in community and clinical settings. Journal of Affective DIsorders, 159, 139 - 146.

Introduction

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Despite pharmacological and therapeutic treatments, 80% of depressed patients can be expected to relapse. Currently, treatment involves long term use of antidepressants and "booster' sessions of psychotherapy following a relapse.

Basic research has shown that social isolation both percipitates and maintains depression. Additionally, a common trigger for a depressive episode is the loss of an important social tie. Several studies suggest that facilitating social interaction, such as by introducing social skills training, participating in support groups, or joining social clubs, may help alleviate depression.

While these results are promising, other studies have also shown mixed results. One-on-one interactions and interactions involving the formation of new friendships were not found to have an effect in reducing depression. The present study posits that social interactions only have benefits for depression if the person identifies with the group.

Study 1

Vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals were facilitated to join recreational social groups. Symptoms of depression were measured at the first group meeting and three months after. The authors hypothesised that social identification with the community group would decrease depression symptoms. This hypothesis was confirmed, after controlling for initial severity of depression, frequency of attendance, and group-type. Participants who reported a high level of social identification with the group they joined showed a marked decrease in depressive symptoms, often moving them from a status of clinically depressed to normal.

Study 2

Outpatients undergoing group cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy were examined to see whether social identification might be a "non-specific factor" that can account for the efficacy of group-based psychological treatments. The same method as Study 1 was used, except replacing recreational groups with group therapy. It was found that group therapy was effective overall, unspecific to group type, in decreasing symptoms of depression.

Thus, social identification is an important factor in the efficacy of social interactions in the treatment of depression. These implications are applicable on the clinical level and should be researched further.