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Good friendships and close social relationships may play an important role in both physical and mental health, according to a new international study involving more than 200,000 adults.
The research, led by Veli Durmus of Kütahya Health Sciences University in Turkey and published in the Journal of Mental Health, examined how people’s satisfaction with their friendships and relationships was associated with their overall well-being. The study found that strong social connections were more closely linked to better health than positive memories of family relationships during childhood.
Data from 22 countries
Researchers analyzed information from more than 200,000 people aged 18 and older who took part in the first phase of the Global Flourishing Study. Participants from 22 countries were asked about factors associated with living a fulfilling life. European participants included people from Germany and Sweden, but not Austria.
Participants rated their satisfaction with their friendships and relationships, as well as their physical and mental health. The researchers also considered factors such as income and educational attainment.
People in Indonesia reported the highest levels of satisfaction with their friendships and relationships, while participants in Japan reported the lowest levels.
Friendships may matter more than childhood relationships
The people who were most satisfied with their friendships and relationships were also the most likely to report better physical and mental health. Positive memories of relationships with parents during childhood were associated with similar outcomes, but the relationship was weaker.
Durmus emphasized that the effects of childhood relationships are not fixed. Friendships, romantic partnerships and other social connections formed later in life can strengthen or lessen the influence of earlier experiences.
“Relationships in childhood play a role, but they do not provide a complete picture,” Durmus wrote. A person’s social environment changes throughout life, meaning that later relationships can alter the effects of earlier experiences.
Differences across age groups
The study also identified differences between age groups. Mental health scores were lower among people in their mid-30s to late 40s than among those aged 18 to 34. Among people over 65, however, mental health scores increased again.
Married participants, people who reported having sufficient financial resources and those who identified with a religion also reported better physical and mental health on average.
Social connections as a pillar of well-being
The findings suggest that supportive social relationships could be an important factor in health and well-being throughout adulthood. Durmus argues that policymakers should take emotional and social connections into account when developing public health strategies.
The study describes good social relationships as a “universal pillar” of well-being. However, the researchers caution that the findings have limitations. The data were based entirely on participants’ self-reports, meaning that the results reflect people’s subjective assessments of their relationships and health rather than independently measured health outcomes.
Still, the findings add to evidence that maintaining meaningful friendships and close social ties may be an important part of a healthy life.
- Hector Pascua/picture: pixabay.com
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