Mental well-being: Friendships strengthen mental and physical health

A recent study from Kütahya Health Sciences University in Turkey finds that individuals with strong friendships and close social connections experience better physical and mental health. The study, led by Dr. Veli Durmus, evaluated data from 204,907 individuals aged 18 and above collected through the Global Flourishing Study (GFS), which included participants from 22 countries across Europe, America, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa.

Participants rated their own satisfaction with their friendships, relationships, and both mental and physical health. The researchers also considered the respondents' income and education levels. Those who reported the highest satisfaction with their friendships and relationships also frequently mentioned better overall mental and physical health.

Positive childhood family relationships had a weaker influence on well-being compared to friendships and relationships later in life. Dr. Durmus cautions that while childhood relationships play a role, they do not tell the full story. He further explains that the social environment of an individual changes throughout life, with friendships, partnerships, and other social contacts potentially amplifying or mitigating the effects of early experiences.

The study suggests that while relationships in childhood are important, they do not fully represent one's overall well-being. Social environments around the world vary, with Indonesians reporting the highest satisfaction with their friendships and relationships, while those in Japan had the lowest values. Among age groups, mental health values were lower for individuals in their mid-30s to late 40s compared to those aged 18-34, while those over 65 years were higher.

Married individuals, financially secure people, and those who identify with a religion reported better mental and physical health on average. Good social relationships are described as an "universal pillar" of well-being. However, the study's findings are limited due to relying solely on self-reported data, reflecting the subjective assessments of the respondents.