Is there evidence that social connections and strong relationships improve lifespan?

Summary

Most studies suggest that strong social connections and supportive relationships improve health and longevity, while other studies indicate that the effects can vary depending on the species and social structure.

Introduction

The impact of social connections and strong relationships on human lifespan has been the subject of extensive research. Numerous studies have explored how social relationships influence physical and mental health, potentially leading to increased longevity. This synthesis presents the key insights from various research papers on this topic.

Key Insights

• Causal Link Between Social Relationships and Health:

  • Strong and supportive social relationships are linked to better health and longer life.

• Social Connections as a Risk Factor for Mortality:

  • Lack of social connections is a significant risk factor for premature mortality, comparable to other well-known risk factors like smoking and physical inactivity.

• Mechanisms of Influence:

  • Social relationships improve health by buffering stress, enhancing immune function, and promoting healthy behaviours.

• Quality vs. Quantity of Social Interactions:

  • The quantity of social interactions in early adulthood and the quality of social interactions in later stages of early adulthood are crucial for long-term psychosocial outcomes.

• Species-Specific Findings:

  • In non-human animals, social relationships can influence longevity, but the effects vary depending on whether the species is obligately or facultatively social.

• Physiological Determinants:

  • Social integration and support are associated with lower physiological dysregulation across different life stages, such as reduced inflammation and hypertension.

• Broader Social Context:

  • Social relationships exist within larger social contexts, including family, community, and society, collectively influencing health outcomes.

Conclusion

The collective evidence strongly supports that social connections and strong relationships improve lifespan. These relationships reduce stress, improve immune function, and promote healthy behaviours. The quantity and quality of social interactions play significant roles at different life stages. The benefits of social relationships are evident across various species, although the effects can vary. Overall, fostering strong social connections is crucial for enhancing health and longevity.

Sources:

1. J. Howick et al. "Establishing a causal link between social relationships and health using the Bradford Hill Guidelines." SSM - Population Health, 8 (2019).

2. J. Holt‐Lunstad et al. "Why Social Relationships Are Important for Physical Health: A Systems Approach to Understanding and Modifying Risk and Protection." Annual Review of Psychology, 69 (2018): 437–458.

3. D. Blumstein et al. "Strong social relationships are associated with decreased longevity in a facultatively social mammal." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285 (2018).

4. E. Lucas et al. "The co‐evolution of longevity and social life." Functional Ecology (2019).

5. Cheryl L. Carmichael et al. "In your 20s it's quantity, in your 30s it's quality: the prognostic value of social activity across 30 years of adulthood.." Psychology and aging, 30 1 (2015): 95-105.

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