Social connectedness as a determinant of mental health: A scoping review

Abstract

Public health and epidemiologic research have established that social connectedness promotes overall health. Yet there have been no recent reviews of findings from research examining social connectedness as a determinant of mental health. The goal of this review was to evaluate recent longitudinal research probing the effects of social connectedness on depression and anxiety symptoms and diagnoses in the general population. A scoping review was performed of PubMed and PsychInfo databases from January 2015 to December 2021 following PRISMA-ScR guidelines using a defined search strategy. The search yielded 66 unique studies. In research with other than pregnant women, 83% (19 of 23) studies reported that social support benefited symptoms of depression with the remaining 17% (5 of 23) reporting minimal or no evidence that lower levels of social support predict depression at follow-up. In research with pregnant women, 83% (24 of 29 studies) found that low social support increased postpartum depressive symptoms. Among 8 of 9 studies that focused on loneliness, feeling lonely at baseline was related to adverse outcomes at follow-up including higher risks of major depressive disorder, depressive symptom severity, generalized anxiety disorder, and lower levels of physical activity. In 5 of 8 reports, smaller social network size predicted depressive symptoms or disorder at follow-up. In summary, most recent relevant longitudinal studies have demonstrated that social connectedness protects adults in the general population from depressive symptoms and disorders. The results, which were largely consistent across settings, exposure measures, and populations, support efforts to improve clinical detection of high-risk patients, including adults with low social support and elevated loneliness.

Caregiver and care recipient health literacy, social support and connectedness on caregiver psychological morbidity: A cross‐sectional dyad survey

“…Notably, our study found that when caregivers perceived social connectedness and availability of social support were examined together as predictors of caregiver psychological morbidity, only social connectedness influenced psychological outcomes. Our findings support some studies which found no associations between social support and depression, 45 but not others 46 . Our findings add to the body of literature that suggest perceived social connectedness and availability of social support impact psychological outcomes in different ways.…”

“…Our findings support some studies which found no associations between social support and depression, 45 but not others. 46 Our findings add to the body of literature that suggest perceived social connectedness and availability of social support impact psychological outcomes in different ways. For example, an early study found that social connectedness had a greater influence on the health and wellbeing of older adults compared to the availability of social support.…”

Social connectedness and health‐related quality of life among patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A mixed method approach using structural equation modelling and photo‐elicitation

“…It may be one of the key aspects in satisfying the need to belong and therefore, essential for promoting future health and mitigating the emotional and social consequences of chronic illnesses such as cancer. Meanwhile, behavioural measures have shown that social connectedness has an emerging effect on the lives and health outcomes of chronically‐ill patients (Kellezi et al, 2019; Sonderlund et al, 2019; Steinbeck, 2014; Wickramaratne et al, 2022). This assertion may also be true in HRQoL as previous studies have shown that lower levels of social connectedness may be associated with poorer HRQoL (Kleynshteyn, 2013; Ohrnberger et al, 2017).…”

Population Salutogenesis—The Future of Psychiatry?

“…The foundational role of social connection in the preservation and enhancement of mental well-being has been consistently underscored in a plethora of scientific literature. 4 Social bonds, embedded in our evolutionary biology, serve as protective buffers against stressors, contribute to cognitive vitality, and foster emotional resilience. Paradoxically, despite the rapid advancements in technology designed to foster connection, an epidemic of loneliness is apparent.…”