American researchers analyzed social and age-related data from approximately 310,000 individuals and found that those with strong social connections due to high sociability lived slightly longer on average than those with minimal social interaction.
Researchers from Brigham Young University in Utah reported in the latest issue of the American academic journal PLOS ONE that to understand the link between social activity and lifespan, they analyzed data from 148 related studies. These studies were conducted in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, with an average duration of 7.5 years and a total sample size of approximately 310,000 people.
Analysis revealed that among adults aged 18 and older, those with strong social connections lived an average of 3.7 years longer than those with minimal social engagement. Strong social connections were defined as regular interaction with friends, harmonious relationships with spouses or other family members, and frequent participation in social activities.
Researchers noted that the positive impact of strong social connections on physical and mental health is comparable to not smoking, losing weight, or taking certain health-promoting medications. Conversely, the harm caused by extreme social isolation in some individuals resembles the adverse physical and mental consequences of minimal exercise and alcohol abuse.
Researchers explained that frequent social interaction helps reduce mental stress, thereby boosting physical immunity. However, they also pointed out that while strong social ties may contribute to longer life, no direct causal relationship exists between the two.