GGood friends are more than just a good shoulder to lean on during difficult times. Research spanning at least 40 years has shown that social support can protect against heart disease, cognitive decline and even death. But new research shows it's not just a matter of having friends at the moment: the depth and consistency of a person's relationships throughout their life has a huge impact on their health – and is even written into their DNA.
For new researchResearchers compared the lifelong social experiences of more than 2,100 middle-aged adults in the United States with biological clock built into their DNA. The hands of this biological clock consist of epigenetic changes in DNA—specifically, patterns in which a chemical called a methyl group is added to certain genes. This methylation does not cause mutations; rather, the process turns a gene on or off in different cells of the body at different times. Over time, the methylation patterns of certain genes change and can be used as markers of biological aging—a measure of how quickly cells wear out, which can be faster or slower than calendar aging. Advanced biological age is a strong predictor of chronic disease and early death.
Researchers measured social connections in a variety of settings over time to show that people with more social activity and genuine, long-term relationships age more slowly. “We found that the depth and consistency of social connections, built over decades and across different walks of life, makes a huge difference,” says Anthony Ong, a psychologist at Cornell University. “Strong and resilient social networks appear to actually push back a person’s biological clock.”
“What really matters is not just the number of people you are connected to, but also how close you are to them.”
Ong's team also reported that people with fewer social connections have higher levels of an inflammatory molecule that contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurodegeneration.
One of the strengths of the new study is that it looks at social connections across the lifespan in a holistic way, says Courtney Bohan, a sociologist at Brown University who was not involved in the study. Most researchers who analyze the impact of social connections on health look at more specific, short-term measures, such as how many friends they have or whether they feel supported by their local community, Boen says. But Ong's team paints a bigger picture, looking at social connections across four areas: childhood family relationships, religious life, emotional support and community participation. They measured this by asking subjects questions such as: “How much love did your mother give you?” “How often do you seek solace through religious or spiritual means?” “How often do you receive emotional support from friends and family?” and “Do you believe that people are kind?”
Researchers have not elucidated how each of these domains may be associated with biological aging individually. “I would like to see all of this separately,” says Kathleen Mullan Harris, a sociologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who was not involved in the study. For example, Harris says he doubts that DNA methylation, which is influenced by parental relationships in childhood, still has much of a direct impact on biological age in adulthood. Rather, she believes that what is more important is how these relationships encourage people to interact with other people later in life.
However, the research clearly shows that social connections, when viewed holistically, are associated with a younger biological clock. To stay connected, Harris recommends joining organizations that already exist in your community. This may include a variety of groups, such as schools, religious organizations, volunteer clubs or sports teams.
Boen recommends focusing on quality over quantity when choosing who to befriend and what friendships to invest in. “Superficial connections tend to matter less than deeper ones,” she says. “What really matters is not just the number of people you are connected to, but also how close you are to them.”
Making space for meaningful social connections can be challenging in a world where responsibilities and distractions compete for precious free time. But maybe it's worth thinking about it in a new way. “Social connections are a lifelong investment with enormous physical health benefits,” says Ong. “Aging well is not just about maintaining physical health; it’s also, first and foremost, about staying connected.”
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