All articles tagged with #social connectedness
A long-term study finds that sexual minority adults, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and mostly heterosexual individuals, experience higher and increasing levels of social isolation from early adulthood into midlife compared to heterosexuals, with implications for health disparities later in life.
A study suggests that in early stages, individuals with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's may become more socially engaged and have better family relationships, possibly as a compensatory response, challenging the idea that social isolation increases Alzheimer's risk.
A study presented at SLEEP 2025 finds that strong family relationships and parental engagement, such as eating dinner together and planning activities, are linked to longer, healthier sleep in preteens, while high technology use and family conflict are associated with shorter sleep durations, highlighting social connectedness as a key factor in children's sleep health.
Mongolia has been named the most socially connected country in the world, with 95% of Mongolians reporting feeling very and fairly connected to others. This high rate of social connection may be attributed to their traditional housing arrangements in gers (also known as yurts), which lack interior walls and encourage shared living spaces. The close-knit nature of ger life fosters strong family connections and relationships with neighbors. Mongolian spiritual beliefs, influenced by the form and atmosphere of the ger, also contribute to their sense of community. The emphasis on nature and freedom, as well as the need to rely on each other for survival in the wilderness, further strengthens social connectedness.
A recent study from the University of British Columbia and a media lab in Germany reveals a "vicious cycle" between feeling less socially connected and increased smartphone use. Unlike previous research that relied on self-reported data, this study directly tracked screen time and found that increased smartphone use within an hour was linked to lower well-being immediately after. The study also found that more smartphone use led to feeling less socially connected, creating a bidirectional relationship. However, the study could not definitively establish causality and was limited to Android users.