For good health, have good social ties

Enjoy all the family moments. A new study looked at social ties with loved ones. In this context, the researchers examined how his social ties with close social circles (friends, families) and wider groups are related to psychological health and well-being.

This study was carried out using data from more than 13,000 people collected in 122 countries during the first wave of the global COVID-19 epidemic. According to this study, family ties have positive effects on health. Indeed, these links generate positive behaviors such as wearing a mask, washing hands, etc.

For example, 46% of people who had strong family ties at least washed their hands “a lot”, compared to 32% of those without close family ties. Additionally, 54% of people not related to family said they never wear a mask compared to 27% of those who are close to family. People with strong family ties made up 73% of those who respected the social distancing, 35% of those who washed their hands and 36% of those who wore a mask “a lot”. These conclusions, relayed by a press release, were published in the journal Science Advances.

The study also found that having strong ties to close social circles and extended groups is associated with better mental health and to well-being. Importantly, the more groups people had strong ties to, the higher their engagement in health behaviors and the better their reported psychological well-being. They were suffering less depression and anxiety.

“In times of turmoil, such as during disasters, social crises or pandemics, our social connections can be essential for receiving support. We look to people. That is why our close ties to family – people with which many of us share important life events and learn from – can promote healthy behaviors“, summarizes the lecturer in psychology at the School of Social Sciences of NTU, Dr. Bahar Tunçgenç.

Before concluding: “At the same time, having strong social ties, however abstract or distant, is crucial for promote mental health. Our research shows that close and extensive social ties provide different sources of support and guidance.”