.
Positive Social Interactions Can Increase Longevity

By: Alan Emery, Ph.D.,
Member of Prime Timers of Western Australia

A new study shows that social isolation increases the risks for early death. Researchers in the Department of Psychology at Brigham Young University found that “the influence of social relationships on the risk of death are comparable with well established risk factors for mortality such as smoking and alcohol consumption and exceed the influence of other risk factors such as physical inactivity and obesity.“ They analysed 148 medical articles looking at more than 300,000 people and found that individuals who do not have strong social relationships are as likely to confront early death as people who have been smokers or heavy drinkers. This research, entitled Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Metaanalytic Review, was published in the July 2010 issue of Public Library of Science Medicine.
 

Until now these social repercussions in the risk of early death have taken a back seat to the more widely promoted behavioural issues such as smoking, substance use, exercise or other lifestyle activities.
 

As early as 1988 it was found that people with poor social relationships die earlier than people with stronger social contacts. In the last 20 years the number of Americans who say they have no close friends has tripled. During that time our social links have become ever more transient with close friends or family members increasingly scattered across the country or the world. In addition, we continue to be distracted from meaningful social interactions by the pull of television, the internet, on demand movies, video games and other solitary pursuits. Add to that the challenges that come with ageing such as physically slowing down; work changes and retirement; reduced economic resources; health concerns; the illness or death of partners, spouses and friends; and many people find themselves progressively more isolated and alone. Mature-age gay people are particularly impacted by these social changes as many live alone, have little immediate family support and reduced social networks available to them.
 

To date health providers, physicians, hospitals, social service organizations and funding sources haven’t fully recognized the connection between diminished social relationships and the risk of early death. And programs to enhance social relationships have not been developed, publicized or funded to the same extent that smoking cessation, alcohol treatment, diet or exercise programs have been. But recent studies are providing significant evidence that may help shift this awareness and help organizations serving older gay people to enhance services to minimize social isolation and increase positive social interactions for its members and consumers.
 

This is an important wake-up call for older gay people everywhere. We need to be sure we remain socially engaged and connected and we also need to encourage others we know to do the same. If we find ourselves becoming isolated it’s time to look for ways to reconnect, reach out and find social connections and activities. Prime Timers is a great place to start—and quite possibly we’ll add a few years to our lives at the same time.

 

Alan Emery is a retired mental health clinician and health consultant. He and his partner are members of Prime Timers of Western Australia. They recently moved from Perth, Australia to Palm Springs, CA. USA.