Social connection as a critical factor for mental and physical health: evidence, trends, challenges, and future implications

IF 73.3 1区 医学 Q1 Medicine World Psychiatry Pub Date : 2024-09-16 DOI:10.1002/wps.21224
Julianne Holt-Lunstad
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Abstract

Rising concerns about social isolation and loneliness globally have highlighted the need for a greater understanding of their mental and physical health implications. Robust evidence documents social connection factors as independent predictors of mental and physical health, with some of the strongest evidence on mortality. Although most data are observational, evidence points to directionality of effects, plausible pathways, and in some cases a causal link between social connection and later health outcomes. Societal trends across several indicators reveal increasing rates of those who lack social connection, and a significant portion of the population reporting loneliness. The scientific study on social isolation and loneliness has substantially extended over the past two decades, particularly since 2020; however, its relevance to health and mortality remains underappreciated by the public. Despite the breadth of evidence, several challenges remain, including the need for a common language to reconcile the diverse relevant terms across scientific disciplines, consistent multi-factorial measurement to assess risk, and effective solutions to prevent and mitigate risk. The urgency for future health is underscored by the potentially longer-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of digital technologies in societal shifts, that could contribute to further declines in social, mental and physical health. To reverse these trends and meet these challenges, recommendations are offered to more comprehensively address gaps in our understanding, and to foster social connection and address social isolation and loneliness.
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社会联系是身心健康的关键因素:证据、趋势、挑战和未来影响
全球范围内对社会隔离和孤独感的关注与日俱增,这凸显了人们需要更深入地了解它们对身心健康的影响。大量证据表明,社会联系因素是心理和身体健康的独立预测因素,其中关于死亡率的证据最为有力。尽管大多数数据都是观察性的,但有证据表明了影响的方向性、合理的途径,以及在某些情况下社会联系与日后健康结果之间的因果关系。多项指标显示的社会趋势表明,缺乏社会联系的人越来越多,而且有相当一部分人报告说他们感到孤独。在过去的二十年里,特别是自 2020 年以来,有关社会隔离和孤独的科学研究已大大扩展;然而,公众对其与健康和死亡率的相关性仍然认识不足。尽管证据确凿,但仍存在一些挑战,包括需要一种共同语言来协调各科学学科的不同相关术语,需要一致的多因素测量方法来评估风险,以及需要有效的解决方案来预防和减轻风险。COVID-19 大流行可能带来的长期后果,以及数字技术在社会变革中的作用,都可能导致社会、精神和身体健康的进一步下降,这凸显了未来健康的紧迫性。为了扭转这些趋势和应对这些挑战,我们提出了一些建议,以更全面地弥补我们认识上的差距,促进社会联系,解决社会隔离和孤独问题。
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来源期刊
World Psychiatry
World Psychiatry Nursing-Psychiatric Mental Health
CiteScore
64.10
自引率
7.40%
发文量
124
期刊介绍: World Psychiatry is the official journal of the World Psychiatric Association. It aims to disseminate information on significant clinical, service, and research developments in the mental health field. World Psychiatry is published three times per year and is sent free of charge to psychiatrists.The recipient psychiatrists' names and addresses are provided by WPA member societies and sections.The language used in the journal is designed to be understandable by the majority of mental health professionals worldwide.
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