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Social Relationships and Health
Abstract
Recent scientific work has established both a theoretical basis and strong empirical evidence for a causal impact of social
relationships on health. Prospective studies, which control for baseline health status, consistently show increased risk of
death among persons with a low quantity, and sometimes low quality, of social relationships. Experimental and quasi-experimental
studies of humans and animals also suggest that social isolation is a major risk factor for mortality from widely varying
causes. The mechanisms through which social relationships affect health and the factors that promote or inhibit the development
and maintenance of social relationships remain to be explored.
... Several studies have documented the protective effects of highquality social relationships on health behaviors (Cassel, 1976;Cobb, 1976). Compared to individuals with tenuous or strained family and friendship ties, individuals with close and supportive relationships are more likely to engage in health-enhancing behaviors (Mier et al., 2017;Peterson et al., 2019) and, consequently, to enjoy better health (House et al., 1988;Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001). According to Boerner et al. (2013), social support and social control are the two main explanatory mechanisms for these patterns. ...
... Social support allows individuals with meaningful social ties to become psychologically strengthened and encouraged by these relations. As a result, individuals benefitting from emotional and social support are more motivated to stay healthy for the good of those they care for and also experience improved mental and physical health due to this support (House et al., 1988;Thoits, 2011). By contrast, social control perspectives focus on the role of significant others in regulating individuals' health behaviors (Lewis & Rook, 1999). ...
... Hence, we might expect that persons with high-quality relationships will be more motivated to engage in ADs because their close relatives encourage them to do so (Umberson et al., 2010) and because they know that it may help to protect their loved ones from difficult decisions regarding EOL care as a potential future healthcare proxy (Carr, 2012a). Previous studies have shown that individuals with supportive and close relationships are more likely than those with strained or tenuous connections to engage in health-enhancing behaviors and enjoy better health (House et al., 1988;Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001). Additionally, Boerner et al. (2013) showed that better overall family functioning and more frequent emotional support from a spouse and/or child increased the odds of engaging in ACP. ...
As the family usually plays a central role at the end of life, the quality of family relationships may influence how individuals approach advance care planning (ACP). Our study investigates the associations of trust in relatives with regard to end-of-life (EOL) issues—used as a proxy measure of family relationship quality—with individuals’ engagement in EOL discussions, advance directive (AD) awareness, approval and completion, and designation of a healthcare proxy. Using nationally representative data of adults aged 55 years and over from wave 6 (2015) of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) in Switzerland ( n = 1911), we show that complete trust in relatives is related to higher engagement in ACP. Subject to patient consent, the family should, therefore, be included in the ACP process, as such practice could enhance patient-centered EOL care and quality of life at the end of life.
... (Choi, 2021;Kim & Lee, 2020;Lee, 2018;Nam & Jung, 2011;Tooth et al., 2008 (Bookwala, & Schulz, 1996;House et al., 1988;Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001;South & Krueger, 2013). ...
... 이는 건강상태 저하로 겪는 부정적 정서가 부부간에 전이 되며 (Siegel et al., 2004), 부부의 웰빙은 상호의존적이기 때문 (Bookwala & Schulz, 1996) (Li & Jiang, 2021;Min et al., 2020;Monin et al., 2015;Pinquart & Sörensen, 2011;Walker & Luszcz, 2009 (Fornell & Larcker, 1981). (Bachman et al. 2002, Slatcher & Selcuk, 2017Umberson, 1992 (House et al., 1988;Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001;South & Krueger, 2013;Uchino, 2004 (Berg et al., 2009;Borg, 2008;Bowling et al., 2003;Choi, 2021;Kim & Kim, 2021;Park, 2011;Yoon, 2007) (Berkman & Breslow, 1983;Resnick et al., 1997;Umberson, 1992). ...
This study aimed to examine the actor and partner effects of marital satisfaction on life satisfaction in middle-aged and older couples via their health behavior and health. The study participants included a total of 2,108 couples, aged 57 and over, from the eighth wave of data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA). The marital satisfaction, health behavior, health, and life satisfaction of the husbands and wives were measured to conduct the analysis. This analysis was conducted based on the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) with the bootstrapping technique being used as the mediating effect. The results indicated that there were significant actor and partner direct and indirect effects when it comes to the relationship between the participants’ marital satisfaction and their own life satisfaction, mediated by health behavior and health. However, no significant influences regarding the health of the participants on the life satisfaction of their spouses were found. These results suggest that it is important for middle-aged and older couples to improve their marital relationships in order to promote the health and life satisfaction of both parties. Doing so will help husbands and wives lead healthier lifestyles based on their positive relationships.
... The functional aspect of social relationship includes social support, positive practical support and emotional support. Dearth of Social relationships, constitute a major risk factor for health (House, Landis & Umberson, 1988). Many types of scientific evidences have established a significant relationship between social relationships and mental as well as physical health (Cohen, 2004). ...
... Many types of scientific evidences have established a significant relationship between social relationships and mental as well as physical health (Cohen, 2004). Considerable evidences reveal that individuals who are low on social relationships are more likely to die than those who have better social relationship (House, Landis & Umberson, 1988). Social relationships also affect the mental and psychological well-being of a person through multiple channels by influencing the social support system, positive social interactions and health related behaviors. ...
The study aimed to examine the differences in social relationships and happiness between Bhutanese and Indian females. Differences were explored on different dimensions of social relationships between Bhutanese and Indian females. The association between happiness and social relationships was examined in college students. Participants included 100 females from Lovely Professional University, Phagwara India and 100 from Samtse College of Education, Samtse Bhutan (N = 200). Participants were of age 18 to 23 (Mean age = 20.18). Happiness was assessed using Oxford Happiness Inventory (Argyle, 2001) and social relationships with Social Relationships scale (Pardeep Kumar, Faheem Nabi, Neha Thakur, 2016). Results revealed that Bhutanese females were higher on both social relationships and happiness. We further found that Bhutanese females are significantly higher on other dimensions of social relationships like Friends, Siblings, Classmates, Teachers, Relatives and Strangers.
... In their review of five Ž . prospective studies, House et al. 1988 concluded that social isolation was a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality from widely varying causes. This relationship was evident even after statistically controlling for known biological risk factors, social status, and baseline measures of health. ...
... Both are possible, and interesting, and either could help account for the higher morbidity and mortality found in socially isolated Ž . individuals House et al., 1988 . If only the latter were true, however, there would be little reason ( ) to intervene, to try to overcome the feelings of loneliness, to try to reach out and connect with others. ...
A full understanding of the biology and behavior of humans cannot be complete without the collective contributions of the social sciences, cognitive sciences, and neurosciences. This book collects eighty-two of the foundational articles in the emerging discipline of social neuroscience.
The book addresses five main areas of research: multilevel integrative analyses of social behavior, using the tools of neuroscience, cognitive science, and social science to examine specific cases of social interaction; the relationships between social cognition and the brain, using noninvasive brain imaging to document brain function in various social situations; rudimentary biological mechanisms for motivation, emotion, and attitudes, and the shaping of these mechanisms by social factors; the biology of social relationships and interpersonal processes; and social influences on biology and health.
Bradford Books imprint
... Scholars have long argued that social contact can increase one's quality of life, including better physical and mental health, satisfaction with social life, and overall happiness (e.g., Burleson, Albrecht, and Sarason 1994;Cohen 2004;Goldsmith and Albrecht 2011;Helliwell and Putnam 2004;House, Landis, and Umberson 1988;Thoits 2011). Some argue the same for certain human-nonhuman interactions, including interactions with pets (e.g., Blouin 2012; Charles 2014; Fox and Ray 2019; Laurent-Simpson 2021; Owens and Grauerholz 2019), spiritual entities (e.g., Çoruh et al. 2005;Jantos and Kiat 2007;Sharp 2012;Simão, Caldeira, and De Carvalho 2016;Townsend et al. 2002), and computerized office assistants and avatars (e.g., Choi and Drumwright 2021;Lambert et al. 2020;Lopatovska et al. 2019;Ostrowski et al. 2019;Pitardi and Marriott 2021;Pu et al. 2019;Sciuto et al. 2018). ...
... Additionally, social interaction has been linked to both physical and mental health. However, due to their heavy workload, physicians frequently struggle to maintain a proper social life, which has been found to be one of the major causes of burnout [36]. Additionally, time management is also a significant contributor to burnout, and can lead to potentially negative consequences. ...
Physician burnout is a global concern that can lead to exhaustion, ineffectiveness, and poor health outcomes. Burnout has been linked to a variety of societal and professional variables worldwide. This cross-sectional, multi-centered study was conducted by face-to-face interviews between April 2019 and December 2021 at sixty-two (62) tertiary level hospitals to identify potential risk factors for burnout among Bangladeshi physicians, which is essential for preventing adverse impact on their well-being, improving overall quality of life, and facilitating measures to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. A simple random sampling technique in conjunction with a structured questionnaire was used to collect a total of 1434 responses, assuming 20 % of the sample as non-responsive. Univariate, bivariate, and multinomial logistic regression statistical analyses were performed to determine the risk factors and associate the level of severity. The distribution of burnout status differs significantly at distinct covariate levels, such as working place, working hour, prevalence of potential interpersonal conflicts (subsequent increase of adjusted odds ratios i.e.; 6.52, 8.82, 11.41, and 37.07 is observed for physicians having interpersonal conflicts with both co-workers & family members), job dissatisfaction, annoyed feeling while dealing with patients (adjusted odds ratios are 529.68, 518.26,983.87 and 849.57 respectively) and some other significant factors of the physicians. This study also reveals that the female physicians, physicians with age 40–49, physicians with additional liabilities, physicians with job dissatisfaction, less salary compared to the workload, less flexibility and security at the job sector as well as obese physicians are at high risk of burnout. These results are statistically significant with a p value ≤ 0.05. To reduce burnout of Bangladeshi physicians, it is necessary to address the risk factors, create supportive workplaces, maintain a healthy work-life balance, provide opportunities for self-care, and promote mental health.
INTRODUCTION
Social connectedness is associated with slower cognitive decline among older adults. Recent research suggests that distinct aspects of social networks may have differential effects on cognitive resilience, but few studies analyze brain structure.
METHODS
This study includes 117 cognitively impaired and 59 unimpaired older adults. The effects of social network characteristics (bridging/bonding) on brain regions of interests were analyzed using linear regressions and voxel‐wise multiple linear regressions of gray matter density.
RESULTS
Increased social bridging was associated with greater bilateral amygdala volume and insular thickness, and left frontal lobe thickness, putamen, and thalamic volumes. Increased social bonding was associated with greater bilateral medial orbitofrontal and caudal anterior cingulate thickness, as well as right frontal lobe thickness, putamen, and amygdala volumes.
DISCUSSION
The associations between social connectedness and brain structure vary depending on the types of social enrichment accessible through social networks, suggesting that psychosocial interventions could mitigate neurodegeneration.
HIGHLIGHTS
Distinct forms of social capital are uniquely linked to gray matter density (GMD).
Bridging is associated with preserved GMD in limbic system structures.
Bonding is associated with preserved GMD in frontal lobe regions.
Bridging is associated with increased brain reserve in sensory processing regions.
Bonding is associated with increased brain reserve in regions of stress modulation.
Introduction
Since May 2019, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) has been covered by Japan’s health insurance system for patients with solid tumours that have progressed on standard chemotherapy, rare tumours or tumours of unknown primary origin. Although CGP has the potential to identify actionable mutations that can guide the selection of genomically matched therapies for patients with advanced cancer and limited treatment options, less than 10% of patients benefit from CGP testing, which may have a negative impact on patients’ mental status. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among patients with advanced cancer who are undergoing CGP testing across Japan.
Methods and analysis
This multicentre, prospective cohort study will enrol a total of 700 patients with advanced cancer undergoing CGP testing. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires at three timepoints: at the time of consenting to CGP testing (T1), at the time of receiving the CGP results (T2; 2–3 months after T1) and 4–5 months after T2 (T3). Primary outcome is the prevalence of depression as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 at the three timepoints. Secondary outcomes are the prevalence of anxiety and Quality of Life Score. Associated factors with psychological distress will also be examined, including knowledge about CGP, attitudes, values and preferences towards CGP, satisfaction with oncologists’ communication and patient characteristics as well as medical information including CGP test results and genomically matched therapies if provided. The prevalence of depression and anxiety will be estimated using the unadjusted raw rates observed in the total sample. Longitudinal changes in measures will be explored by calculating differences between the timepoints. Multivariate associations between variables will be examined using multiple or logistic regression analysis depending on the outcomes to adjust for confounders and to identify outcome predictors.
Ethics and dissemination
This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the National Cancer Center Japan on 5 January 2023 (ID: 2022-228). Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.
Trial status
The study is currently recruiting participants and the enrolment period will end on 31 March 2025, with an expected follow-up date of 31 March 2026.
Trial registration number
UMIN000049964.
The relationship between social and community ties and mortality was assessed using the 1965 Human Population Laboratory survey of a random sample of 6928 adults in Alameda County, California and a subsequent nine-year mortality follow-up. The findings show that people who lacked social and community ties were more likely to die in the follow-up period than those with more extensive contacts. The age-adjusted relative risks for those most Isolated when compared to those with the most social contacts were 2.3 for men and 2.8 for women. The association between social ties and mortality was found to be independent of self-reported physical health status at the time of the 1965 survey, year of death, socioeconomic status, and health practices such as smoking, alcoholic beverage consumption, obesity, physical activity, and utilization of preventive health services as well as a cumulative index of health practices.
Reed D. (Honolulu Heart Program, Honolulu, HI 96817), D. McGee, K. Yano and M. Feinlelb. Social networks and coronary heart disease among Japanese men in Hawaii. Am J Epidemiol 1983; 117: 384–96.
A group of 4653 men of Japanese ancestry living in Hawaii were studied for the association of measures of social networks with both the prevalence and incidence rates of coronary heart disease (Honolulu Heart Program, 1971–1979). Prevalence rates for myocardial infarction, angina, and total coronary heart disease were inversely associated with the social network scales in bivarlate analyses with age, and in multivaiiate analyses including 12 other risk factors. With the Incidence data, the associations were less evident. Bivarlate analysis with age revealed inverse associations for nonfatal myocardlai Infarction and total coronary heart disease with only one of the social network scales. With murtivarlate analyses, there was no significant association of any subgroup of coronary heart disease with any scale, although there was a borderline association (p = 0.08) of nonfatal myocardial infarction with one scale. No individual question was significantly associated with either prevalence or incidence rates for coronary heart disease. There was also little evidence of reduced risk of incident coronary heart disease associated with the social network scale for men in high risk categories of serum cholesterol, blood pressure, and cigarette smoking.
This study examined the relationship between social network interaction and total and cardiovascular mortality in 17,433 Swedish men and women between the ages of 29 and 74 during a 6 year follow-up period. The study group was interviewed concerning their social network interactions and a total score was formed which summarized the availability of social contact. A number of sociodemographic and health related background variables known to be associated with mortality risk were also considered. Mortality was examined by linking the interview material with the Swedish National Mortality Registry. In the 6-year follow-up period 841 deaths occurred. The crude relative risk of dying during this period was 3.7 (95% CL 3.2; 4.3) when the lower social network tertile was compared to the upper two tertiles. When controlling for potential confounding effects, only age had a major influence on the association between social network interaction and mortality (RR age-adjusted = 1.46, 95% CL 1.25; 1.72). Controlling for age and sex, age and educational level, age and employment status, age and immigrant status, age and smoking, age and exercise habits and age and chronic disease at interview left the relative risk virtually unchanged. Controlling simultaneously for age, smoking, exercise and chronic illness yielded a risk estimate of 1.36 (95% CL 1.06; 1.69). Similar results were obtained when separately analyzing for cardiovascular disease mortality in an identical manner.
A solution is suggested for an old unresolved social psychological problem.
The abstract for this document is available on CSA Illumina.To view the Abstract, click the Abstract button above the document title.
A longer life means that current cohorts can spend more years as members of a family in the statuses of parent, child, or spouse and in the combination of these statuses that defines the conjugal family. How much has this potential been realized? This question is addressed for the United States through a simulation of demographic conditions in 1800, 1900, 1960, and 1980. Despite declining fertility and higher divorce rates, women in the 1960 and 1980 cohorts spent more years in marriage and as parents than did earlier generations. -from Authors Dept of Sociology, Univ of Pennsylvania, 3718 Locust Walk CR, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
The 4 major sections of this book examine transfer enhancement based on identical elements, transfer enhancement based on self-generated processes, transfer-enhancing environments, and physiologically based transfer effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Reactions of subjects to the experimental situation were investigated by means of plasma-free fatty acid level. Arousal (elevated FFA level) was shown at entry into the experiment, at the giving of instructions, and at upsetting experiences during the experiment. Stress at entry can be called experimental stress, variations within the experiment, manipulated stress. A series of conditions which insulate the subject socially, psychologically, or physically from the situation diminish experimental stress and obliterate the differences in manipulated stress. They are: previous acquaintance, previous work together as a group, commitment to the experiment, and low height-weight ratio.
The relationship between marital status and mortality appearing in statistical data published by the National Office of Vital Statistics on deaths and death rates in 1949–1951 by marital status, age, color, and sex was reviewed. The main feature was the lower death rate in the married group than in the single, widowed, or divorced, at every age. The outstanding excess risk of mortality among the young widowed was noted. This excess risk in the widowed under age 35, compared to the married, was greater than tenfold for at least one of the specific age-sex groups involved for several leading causes of death, including arteriosclerotic heart disease and vascular lesions of the central nervous system.Possible explanatory hypotheses were discussed. It seems unlikely that the several possible artificial factors mentioned, including the “selection” factor, could have accounted for more than a small part of the great excess risk noted in the young widowed for these several causes of death. Three biologic hypotheses were suggested in explanation of what appears to be a genuine association between young widowhood and subsequent mortality. These were called the 1.(1) “mutual selection of poor-risk mates,”2.(2) “joint unfavorable environment,” and3.(3) “effects of widowhood” hypotheses.Further studies, of both the retrospective and prospective types, were suggested to assess these hypotheses.