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Posted on Aug 06, 2010, 6 a.m.
People who engage in a number of positive social relationships are 50% more likely to live longer, as compared to those who have few or negative social connections.
Previous studies have linked the quality and quantity of a person’s social relationships to mental, as well as, physical health. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, from Brigham Young University (Utah, USA), and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of 148 studies that included data from 308,849 men and women who were followed for more than 7 years. The team’s analysis determined that individuals with adequate social connections have a 50% greater likelihood of longevity, as compared to those with poor or insufficient social relationships. The researchers note that the overall effect remained consistent across age demographics and health status, suggesting that positive social engagement across the population may be a key to society-wide longevity.
Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Layton JB. “Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review.” PLoS Med 7(7), July 2010; doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316.
