Professor Hester Parr, Professor Hayden Lorimer and Shawn Bodden

University of Glasgow Geographical and Earth Science

 

An innovative interdisciplinary partnership lead by Glasgow University is conducting new research on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) with a view to understanding how our relationship with light and seasons may hold lessons for future climate change and mental health. The ESRC-AHRC funded research project entitled ‘Living with SAD: practicing cultures of seasonality to 'feel light' differently’ runs from 2022-2024 and partners geographers, CBT experts, artists, and the National Centre for Resilience, amongst others.

While most research has focused on psychological and biological aspects of the condition, comparatively little attention has been given to the role played by environmental, social and cultural factors in shaping experiences and perceptions of SAD. For instance, in the West of Scotland, where winters are infamously grey and wet, some of those who experience severe wintertime lowered mood have found it difficult to gain acknowledgement and to access help due to public perceptions of SAD and cultural stoicism around mental health issues.

A UK-wide ‘Big SAD Survey’ was conducted between January and March 2022 and the results comprise the focus of a project report. In the report the team use thematic analysis in order to shed light on the phasing of winter mood, such as the early periods of anticipation and anxiety that typically start when the clocks are put back in late October and the trying times of the festive season—which for some bring useful structure and social support, but for others bring exhausting demands on their energy. The report goes beyond the usual headlines about ‘winter blues’ and tries to anatomise why and how changing seasonal light makes a difference to our mental health.

Alongside the survey, our team have also conducted 16 in-depth interviews and trialled a seasonal diary activity with participants throughout the Spring and Summer. All of these materials will be used to inform outputs for policymakers, healthcare practitioners and those experiencing SAD themselves on how to foster more supportive cultures and helpful practices for living with SAD. These elements will also hold lessons for resilience strategies for changing seasonal light in unpredictable future climate scenarios.

We are currently recruiting participants for a series of arts-led, interdisciplinary workshops for members of the public who experience SAD, which will take place in Glasgow throughout the winter season from October 2022 to February 2023 entitled ‘Wintering Well’. The aim of these workshops is to create space for testing out creative responses to changes in the weather, light and nature.

 If you or anyone you know in the Glasgow area would be interested in taking part in the workshops, please contact the research team at shawn.bodden@glasgow.ac.uk to register interest and learn more.

 

Find out more in The 2022 BIG SAD SURVEY INTERIM REPORT here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/livingwithsad/blog/headline_878483_en.html

First published: 21 September 2022

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