Circling Science

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

Tegan Cruwys, Genevieve A. Dingle, Catherine Haslam, S. Alexander Haslam, Jolanda Jetten and Thomas A. Morton · 2013

Evidence
Follow-up study
Kind
Journal article
peer-reviewed
Method
Analysis of population survey data over two and four years, controlling for initial depression, health and demographics
Sample
5,055 people over two years; 4,087 over four
Published
Social Science & Medicine, 98, 179–186

Mechanisms

Studies a process a circle relies on, such as disclosure or synchrony, wherever it happens.

In population data over two and four years, belonging to fewer groups predicted later depression, and depressed people with no groups who joined one had a 24% lower risk of relapse; joining three, 63% lower.

What it doesn’t show

Observational: people chose their groups, so those who join may differ in ways the controls miss. It counts memberships of any kind of group, none of them a relational practice.

Summary based on the abstract.

Directions that build on it

  1. From circle to community

    Builds on 6 works · 4 funding routes

    Do regular circles grow into a community, with ties, belonging and help that last beyond the sessions?

Links

Cite

Cruwys, T., Dingle, G. A., Haslam, C., Haslam, S. A., Jetten, J., & Morton, T. A. (2013). Social group memberships protect against future depression, alleviate depression symptoms and prevent depression relapse. Social Science & Medicine, 98, 179–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.09.013