Annu Rev Psychol January 2018 PMID 29035688

Why Social Relationships Are Important for Physical Health: A Systems Approach to Understanding and Modifying Risk and Protection.

Julianne Holt-Lunstad

Mentions

101
Peak: 2 in Jul 2019
across 4 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

249,927
potential audience

Total likes

5,788

Video views

188,672

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News76 articles
  • X / Twitter11 posts
  • Blogs11 articles
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group consistently emphasizes the importance of social relationships, with phrases like 'people who have close friends and family are healthier' and 'social support during holidays can buffer stress,' demonstrating strong agreement and high engagement. The tone and words reflect a sense of optimism about research findings and their potential to shape health practices and policies.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most posts strongly endorse the importance of social relationships for health, citing studies and emphasizing the connection.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions show high enthusiasm and curiosity, especially when highlighting new research and practical implications.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many discussions reference specific findings, such as the effect of social support on stress and longevity, indicating deep involvement.

ImpactHigh impact

The posts underscore the significant influence of social ties on health, suggesting broad implications for individual well-being and societal health initiatives.

Abstract in brief

  • Social relationships are essential for survival and significantly impact our health and longevity, with a lack of social connections increasing the risk of early death.
  • The review uses a systems perspective, considering how individuals are interconnected within broader social, family, neighborhood, and cultural contexts to understand how social ties influence physical health.
  • Applying the social ecological model, the approach explores the causal mechanisms linking social connections to health outcomes and suggests ways to develop future interventions and identify gaps in current knowledge.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Kristen Jakobitz
@KristenJakobitz · X

Social #relationships with friends, family, and loved ones are important for both mental well-being and physical #health. Studies show people who have close friends and family are healthier and may live longer than those who do not. https://t.co/3O5XFAjjqe #longevity https://t.co/sy7omuNo6B

Dec 15, 2022 · 32 likes · 5 shares · 19,478 followers View post →
DeeCrypto
@DannyBolasie · X

Studies show that people who have close friends and family are healthier and live much longer than those who do not. https://t.co/u0NUdp0pm3 https://t.co/JVvEBqRwcM

Sep 17, 2023 · 17 likes · 7,154 followers View post →
Kai Karos
@KaiKaros · X

A #systems approach highlights the importance of different #dimensions in a #social #network: The individual, the #family and other close relationships, the community, and the #society at large. #psychology #social #ChronicPain https://t.co/hSrL8LtTF3 (2/2)

Jul 11, 2019 · 5 likes · 1 share · 1,013 followers View post →
Health Psychology
@APADivision38 · X

Why social relationships are important for physical health: A systems approach to understanding and modifying risk and protection https://t.co/oLmSvxJ2P7

May 30, 2019 · 4 likes · 7,431 followers View post →
Dr. Michael R. Williams
@DrMRWilliams · X

A timely reminder: Research confirms that social interactions during the holidays – parties, family gatherings, etc. – may sometimes seem like a chore, but they are good for our body and mind. Happy Thanksgiving! https://t.co/MO0UxOVNaN

Nov 28, 2019 · 2 likes · 325 followers View post →
Dr. Rick Barnett, PsyD
@drrickbarnett · X

https://t.co/vQm9vlk87F

Feb 19, 2019 · 1 like · 17,471 followers View post →

All mentions

DeeCrypto
@DannyBolasie · X

Studies show that people who have close friends and family are healthier and live much longer than those who do not. https://t.co/u0NUdp0pm3 https://t.co/JVvEBqRwcM

Sep 17, 2023 · 17 likes · 7,154 followers View post →
Rory
@rorybowman · X

J Holt-Lunstad, 2018. Why Social Relationships Are Important for Physical Health: A Systems Approach to Understanding and Modifying Risk and Protection. Annual review of psychology, 69, 437–458. https://t.co/DWgr6ONU8z.

May 15, 2023 · 5,350 followers View post →
DR MADEEHA TAJ.
@TajMadeeha · X

RT @KristenJakobitz: Social #relationships with friends, family, and loved ones are important for both mental well-being and physical #heal…

Dec 15, 2022 · 5 shares · 518 followers View post →
Kristen Jakobitz
@KristenJakobitz · X

Social #relationships with friends, family, and loved ones are important for both mental well-being and physical #health. Studies show people who have close friends and family are healthier and may live longer than those who do not. https://t.co/3O5XFAjjqe #longevity https://t.co/sy7omuNo6B

Dec 15, 2022 · 32 likes · 5 shares · 19,478 followers View post →
Dr. Michael R. Williams
@DrMRWilliams · X

Good news if you take statins to lower cholesterol. A large new study indicates the cholesterol-reducing drugs aren’t associated with loss of memory or thinking ability despite earlier evidence to the contrary. https://t.co/MO0UxOVNaN

Dec 2, 2019 · 1 like · 325 followers View post →
Dr. Michael R. Williams
@DrMRWilliams · X

A timely reminder: Research confirms that social interactions during the holidays – parties, family gatherings, etc. – may sometimes seem like a chore, but they are good for our body and mind. Happy Thanksgiving! https://t.co/MO0UxOVNaN

Nov 28, 2019 · 2 likes · 325 followers View post →
Dr. Michael R. Williams
@DrMRWilliams · X

Social support during the holidays can be a buffer against stress. The research also indicates that a lack of support can be a risk factor on the same level as obesity. Connect and celebrate! https://t.co/MO0UxOVNaN

Nov 27, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 325 followers View post →
Zoha Deldar. PhD
@Zoha_Deldar · X

RT @KaiKaros: A #systems approach highlights the importance of different #dimensions in a #social #network: The individual, the #family and…

Jul 11, 2019 · 1 share · 1,840 followers View post →
Kai Karos
@KaiKaros · X

A #systems approach highlights the importance of different #dimensions in a #social #network: The individual, the #family and other close relationships, the community, and the #society at large. #psychology #social #ChronicPain https://t.co/hSrL8LtTF3 (2/2)

Jul 11, 2019 · 5 likes · 1 share · 1,013 followers View post →
Health Psychology
@APADivision38 · X

Why social relationships are important for physical health: A systems approach to understanding and modifying risk and protection https://t.co/oLmSvxJ2P7

May 30, 2019 · 4 likes · 7,431 followers View post →
Dr. Rick Barnett, PsyD
@drrickbarnett · X

https://t.co/vQm9vlk87F

Feb 19, 2019 · 1 like · 17,471 followers View post →