Social connectedness, functional capacity, and longevity: A focus on positive relations with others

A large literature links social connectedness to health, but there is growing recognition of considerable nuance in the ways social connectedness is defined, assessed, and associated with health.

This study centers on positive relations with others - a measure derived from philosophical notions of the components of a "good life" - and the extent to which it predicts functional limitations and mortality using data from the national, longitudinal Mid-Life in the United States (MIDUS) study. We also assess whether these associations are independent of two common measures of social connectedness: social integration and social support.

Data on social connectedness came from the first wave of MIDUS (1994-1996), self-reported functional limitations were from the first (MIDUS 1) and third (MIDUS 3; 2013-2014) waves, and mortality data through 2022 were obtained from the National Death Index.

Linear regression analyses showed that higher scores on positive relations with others predicted significantly less increase in functional limitations over time, and logistic regression models showed reduced probability of onset of functional limitations between MIDUS 1 and MIDUS 3 in those scoring higher on positive relations with others. Mortality was also significantly lower in those with higher scores on positive relations with others. All models adjusted for demographic and health characteristics, and all associations were robust to the inclusion of social integration and social support in the models.

These results show that positive relations with others, a component of a well-lived life that describes sustained investment in social relationships that are mutual and trusting, is associated with two key health outcomes in aging adults: functional limitations and longevity. That these associations are independent of social integration and social support suggests a unique role for this formulation of social connectedness in the health of aging adults.