Why Social Relationships Are Important for Physical Health
A Systems Approach to Understanding and Modifying Risk and Protection
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23319802 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Julianne Holt-Lunstad (0000-0003-0043-0791, Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 69 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 437-458 |
| Publication date | 2018-01-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Annual Review of Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0066-4308 • E-ISSN: 1545-2085 |
| Publisher | Annual Reviews (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011902 |
| PMID | 29035688 |
| OpenAlex | W2620395995 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 194 |
| References cited | 108 |
Social relationships are adaptive and crucial for survival. This review presents existing evidence indicating that our social connections to others have powerful influences on health and longevity and that lacking social connection qualifies as a risk factor for premature mortality. A systems perspective is presented as a framework by which to move social connection into the realm of public health. Individuals, and health-relevant biological processes, exist within larger social contexts including the family, neighborhood and community, and society and culture. Applying the social ecological model, this review highlights the interrelationships of individuals within groups in terms of understanding both the causal mechanisms by which social connection influences physical health and the ways in which this influence can inform potential intervention strategies. A systems approach also helps identify gaps in our current understanding that may guide future research.
Intervention (counseling) · Longevity · Perspective (graphical) · Political science · Public health · Realm · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Computer Science · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology
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Multidimensional social connectedness of sexual and gender minority midlife and older adults
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| Unique citing works | 194 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 27,71 |
| Citation span | 2019 - 2026 (8) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | Yes |
| Citation types | Neutral: 179 |