A new study by American researchers has found that social interactions, whether with friends, family, or colleagues, can significantly boost our mental well-being. However, the research suggests that virtual interactions don’t have the same positive impact as face-to-face connections.
By following three cohorts of students for three years, the researchers analyzed data on their social interactions and overall well-being. They also examined the role of four different contextual factors, including the people the students interacted with and the communication channels used.
The social link source of well-being
The study, published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, found that engaging with peers and building social connections significantly improved well-being.
“Spending more time having substantial, deep conversations with anyone, regardless of the strength of the tie, has beneficial effects on people’s average levels of well-being,” explained Mahnaz Roshanaei, a researcher at Stanford University.
Give preference to direct contact
The study also highlighted the importance of the context in which social interactions occur. The researchers observed better well-being outcomes when interactions took place in person compared to virtual exchanges like instant messaging or texting. Additionally, they found that engaging with others during periods of rest, rather than activity, yielded better results.
“In the future, the findings of this study could be used to develop personalized intervention strategies to promote healthy social lives,” concluded Roshanaei. However, she acknowledged the need for further research, particularly with more diverse groups of participants.”
