Behavioral Healthcare

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A new Brigham Young University (BYU) study reports that social connections — friends, family, neighbors or colleagues — improve our odds of survival by 50 percent.

Here is how low social interaction compares to more well-known risk factors:

• Equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
• Equivalent to being an alcoholic.
• More harmful than not exercising.
• Twice as harmful as obesity.

The researchers analyzed data from 148 previously published longitudinal studies that measured frequency of human interaction and tracked health outcomes for seven and a half years on average. Because information on relationship quality was unavailable, the 50 percent increased odds of survival may underestimate the benefit of healthy relationships.

According to the researchers, "The data simply show whether they were integrated in a social network. That means the effects of negative relationships are lumped in there with the positive ones. They are all averaged together." There are many pathways through which friends and family influence health for the better, ranging from a calming touch to finding meaning in life. "When someone is connected to a group and feels responsibility for other people, that sense of purpose and meaning translates to taking better care of themselves and taking fewer risks," said the researchers.

In examining the data, researchers took a careful look at whether the results were driven primarily by people helping each other prolong their golden years. "This effect is not isolated to older adults," said the researchers. "Relationships provide a level of protection across all ages." Also, modern conveniences and technology can lead some people to think that social networks aren’t necessary. "We take relationships for granted as humans. That constant interaction is not only beneficial psychologically but directly to our physical health."

Source: Brigham Young University, July 27, 2010