Volunteering could help you feel less depressed

New research from the University of Reading suggests that helping young people find meaning in their lives could be key to treating one of the most challenging symptoms of depression: Anhedonia.

The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, found that young people who reported a stronger sense of meaning in life were less likely to experience anhedonia - the loss of interest and pleasure – a core symptom of depression and often difficult to treat with existing therapies.

Professor Ciara McCabe, who led the research at the University of Reading, said: "Our discovery means that new interventions for young people with depression could be on the horizon.

“Anhedonia can be prevented or alleviated by a strong sense of meaning in life. In practise, this means that young people need a solid sense of self for the present but also when thinking about the future.

“Carrying out activities for the benefit of others – what we call prosocial behaviours – can have a powerful effect, too. They contribute to a robust sense of meaning, which in turn reduces the severity and impact of anhedonia.”

The research team studied 429 young people (70% female, 30% male) aged 16-25, examining how their sense of meaning in life, sense of self, and engagement in prosocial behaviours related to their experience of anhedonia. There were statistically significant results showing that sense of self and prosocial behaviour had direct effects on meaning in life. Meaning in life then had a direct effect on anhedonia.

Key findings include:

• Young people who have a strong sense of self and engage in prosocial behaviours have more meaning in life
• Greater meaning in life predicts less severe anhedonia
• These relationships persisted even when controlling for overall depression levels
• Sense of self and prosocial behaviours had indirect effects on anhedonia, mediated by meaning in life
• After a 5-month follow-up period, Sense of self still had an indirect effect on anhedonia, mediated by meaning in life,

"What's particularly exciting about these findings is that they point to concrete ways we might be able to help young people who are struggling with anhedonia, a symptom often hard to treat in depression," said Professor McCabe. "This could include therapeutic approaches that help people develop a stronger sense of who they are and encourage them to engage in activities that benefit others."

One-third of young people with depression do not respond to current treatments but the application of this research in the clinic and real world, could change that. The findings suggest that incorporating meaning-focused interventions into existing treatments could potentially improve outcomes for young people experiencing anhedonia.

Image courtesy of PickPik.