Social connection

Part of a series on
Emotions
Emotions

Social connection is the experience of feeling close and connected to others. It involves feeling loved, cared for, and valued,[1] and forms the basis of interpersonal relationships.

"Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship." —Brené Brown, Professor of social work at the University of Houston[2]

Increasingly, social connection is understood as a core human need, and the desire to connect as a fundamental drive.[3][4] It is crucial to development; without it, social animals experience distress and face severe developmental consequences.[5] In humans, one of the most social species, social connection is essential to nearly every aspect of health and well-being. Lack of connection, or loneliness, has been linked to inflammation,[6] accelerated aging and cardiovascular health risk,[7] suicide,[8] and all-cause mortality.[9]

Feeling socially connected depends on the quality and number of meaningful relationships one has with family, friends, and acquaintances. Going beyond the individual level, it also involves a feeling of connecting to a larger community. Connectedness on a community level has profound benefits for both individuals and society.[10]

  1. ^ Eisenberger, Naomi I; Cole, Steve W. (2012). "Social neuroscience and health: neurophysiological mechanisms linking social ties with physical health". Nature Neuroscience. 15 (5): 669–674. doi:10.1038/nn.3086. ISSN 1097-6256. PMID 22504347. S2CID 2039147.
  2. ^ Brown, Brené (2010). The gifts of imperfection: let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are. Hazeldon. ISBN 9781499333190. OCLC 884582495.
  3. ^ Baumeister, Roy F.; Leary, Mark R. (1995). "The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation". Psychological Bulletin. 117 (3): 497–529. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497. ISSN 0033-2909. PMID 7777651.
  4. ^ Lieberman, Matthew D (2013). Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199645046. OCLC 913957686.
  5. ^ Jaak, Panksepp (2004). Affective Neuroscience : the Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198025672. OCLC 609832061.
  6. ^ Eisenberger, Naomi I; Moieni, Mona; Inagaki, Tristen K; Muscatell, Keely A; Irwin, Michael R (2016-08-02). "In Sickness and in Health: The Co-Regulation of Inflammation and Social Behavior". Neuropsychopharmacology. 42 (1): 242–253. doi:10.1038/npp.2016.141. ISSN 0893-133X. PMC 5143485. PMID 27480575.
  7. ^ Hawkley, Louise C.; Cacioppo, John T. (2010-07-22). "Loneliness Matters: A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Consequences and Mechanisms". Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 40 (2): 218–227. doi:10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8. ISSN 0883-6612. PMC 3874845. PMID 20652462.
  8. ^ Durkeim, Emile (1951). Suicide. Routledge. doi:10.4324/9780203994320. ISBN 9781134470235.
  9. ^ Holt-Lunstad, Julianne; Smith, Timothy B; Layton, J B (2010). "Social Relationships and Mortality Risk: A Meta-analytic Review". PLOS Medicine. e1000316. 7 (7): e1000316. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316. PMC 2910600. PMID 20668659.
  10. ^ Berkman, Lisa F; Kawachi, Ichiro; Glymour, Maria M (2014). "Social Capital, Social Cohesion, and Health". Social Epidemiology. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195377903.