People-Lovers Are Healthier

People need people. We really do. Two independent studies link a lack of social support to poor health.

Loneliness becomes chronic — and health-threatening — in just four years, researchers at the University of Chicago found.  Louise Hawkley, senior research scientist with the university's Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience, studied a group of 229 people aged 50 to 68 for five years. At the beginning of the study, they were asked questions designed to uncover their own perceptions of social support, such as "I have a lot in common with the people around me," "My social relationships are superficial" and "I can find companionship when I want it."

In the next five years, the blood pressure of the loneliest people went up significantly more than the other groups. According to Eureka Alert,

"Loneliness is characterized by a motivational impulse to connect with others but also a fear of negative evaluation, rejection and disappointment," Hawkley said. "We hypothesize that threats to one's sense of safety and security with others are toxic components of loneliness, and that hypervigilance for social threat may contribute to alterations in physiological functioning, including elevated blood pressure."

Meanwhile, Paul Ciechanowski, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington, found that mistrusting others may shorten the lives of people with diabetes. His study looked at 3,535 patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who filled out a questionnaire about how they related to others. The subjects fell into two groups, those with an interactive style and those with an independent style in relating to people.

Individuals with an interactive style find it easy to get close to others and rely on them, and in turn are dependable for others. Those with an independent style tend to be either dismissive or fearful of close relationships. Some people with this style would like emotional closeness, but find it hard to trust or depend on others. Others can be indifferent to close relationships, preferring instead to be free and self-reliant.

Those with the independent style had a 33 percent higher mortality rate, regardless of other health factors.

Ciechanowski thinks this is because people who want to go it alone tend to be more dissatisfied with their healthcare providers, leading to missed appointments and not following doctors' directions. In addition, they don't have the support of family and friends in making lifestyle changes like eating healthier meals and getting more exercise.  

The studies show just how important it is to connect with others. Sometimes, we see our relationships as a luxury, the stuff we do when we're done working or taking care of responsibilities. In fact, love of all kinds — for our parents, mates, children, friends — is essential for wellbeing.

Now, go give someone a hug.