Why being part of a group can make you happier

Being part of a group can make you happier. Photography Thinkstock

Last year, when author Carrie Tiffany won the first Stella Prize for Australian women's literature, she did something unusual.

She shared part of her prize money with the other shortlisted authors.

"The prize is an opportunity to do something differently," she said. "It's a way we can celebrate the many, rather than celebrate the few."

By reaching out to the other writers, Tiffany was going against the prevailing "me me me" attitude of Western culture. She made her co-nominees happy, but chances are she also got a boost - because, according to new research, a more collective approach to life could be key to boosting our mental health.

A large study by the University of Queensland shows that being a group member - whether the group is a book club, soccer team or political party - is one of the most important factors for wellbeing.

The study analysed data from thousands of people over four years and found that being a member of one or more groups helps to both prevent depression in healthy people and overcome it in sufferers.

People who were depressed and joined a group reduced their risk of depression relapse by 24 per cent. And if they joined three groups, their risk decreased by a mega 63 per cent. The type of group was immaterial - they included arts, music, religious and sports groups... you get the picture.

Other studies back up these findings - one in Australian Psychologist found students with the strongest individualist values had fewer friends and felt less hope than their group-member peers, and also less skilled at managing their own and others' emotions. And, in the workplace, people who score higher on measures of collectivism report being happier with their job, pay, colleagues and promotions than their individualist colleagues, says Applied Psychology.

It's a no-brainer: being socially connected to others tends to boost wellbeing and decrease loneliness. And some of our most uplifting moments come en masse.

"There's plenty of evidence that participating in events with crowds, whether it's a pop concert or demo, is life-affirming in important ways," says Dr Alex Haslam, professor of social psychology at the University of Queensland and co-editor of The Social Cure.

But unless you're a festival fanatic or fervent Collingwood supporter, you're probably not seeking out these types of experiences on a weekly or even monthly basis, because we live in an individualist culture.

"Generally speaking, we see the path to enlightenment as some sort of self-discovery where you go off and 'find yourself'", says Haslam.

This individualist tendency is rising faster than Lady Gaga's Twitter followers. Research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that Gen Ys show a growing tendency to value image, fame and money over more communal values like affiliation, empathy and political participation.

"Young people have been taught to put their own needs first and to focus on feeling good about themselves," says study co-author Jean Twenge, author of Generation Me. Yet this navel-gazing isn't making us happy. It's an enormous shift compared to how humans have spent the vast majority of time on the planet.

Dr Jared Diamond, author of The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn From Traditional Societies?, points out that for thousands of years humans lived in groups of around 150 people, who'd forage, cook and move around together.

Since these traditional lifestyles shaped us, it makes sense that we evolved to yearn for them, even though we no longer rely on spears and loincloths.

"The most important thing we've lost is social ties," says Diamond. He endorses "full-attention time" with friends and family - putting away your iPad and, instead of zoning out in front of Jimmy Fallon, doing what traditional societies do and create your own entertainment.

Look for meaning

If you're sceptically thinking there's no way joining a ukelele ensemble is going to make you happy, you're right. "It has to be a group you want to be a part of," says Dr Tegan Cruwys, lead researcher in the University of Queensland study.

But being part of something bigger doesn't have to be done face-to-face - groups can be virtual. "These days... people meet their need for connectedness through social media," adds Cruwys.

There's a reason online forums are so popular: interacting with other people with the same interests really helps. "People feel empowered in groups because they get a sense of control that they may not have in their everyday life," says Haslam.

Whatever you do, putting your social life on the front-burner is good for your wellbeing. And if you're not a "joiner", try some internet forums instead. You'll find yourself in good, like-minded company - and that's what it's all about.

Boost your wellbeing by tapping into the power of community
1. If you grow your own Barter your surfeit of cabbage for someone else's home-made chutney at a local food swap. Find them at My Home Harvest or Local Harvest

2. If you're an action woman Find anything from kayaking groups to basketball teams (or set a group up yourself) at Womensports Meetup

3. If you're a nature lover Environment-focused groups, from bushwalking clubs to political organisations, can be found at EDO

4. If you want to be an activist Charities like Oxfam and Amnesty International rely heavily on local groups for campaigning, lobbying and fundraising. Find one near you at Oxfam or Amnesty

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