Social and emotional support and its implication for health
Open accessAbstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent research findings from selected publications focusing on links between social support and physical health are summarized. RECENT FINDINGS: Current research is extending our understanding of the influences of social support on health. Many epidemiological studies have concentrated on further linking measures of social support to physical health outcomes. A few studies are now moving into newer areas, such as emphasizing health links with support receipt and provision. Researchers are also interested in outlining relevant pathways, including potential biological (i.e. inflammation) and behavioral (i.e. health behaviors) mechanisms. Interventions attempting to apply basic research on the positive effects of social support are also widespread. Although the longer term effects of such interventions on physical health remain to be determined, such interventions show promise in influencing the quality of life in many chronic disease populations. SUMMARY: Recent findings often show a robust relationship in which social and emotional support from others can be protective for health. The next generation of studies must explain, however, why this relationship exists and the specificity of such links. This research is in its infancy but will be crucial in order to better tailor support interventions that can impact on physical health outcomes.
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Robust social connections have been consistently associated with better health outcomes, including reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, improved immune function, and lower mortality rates.
“Robust social connections have been consistently associated with better health outcomes, including reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, improved immune function, and lower mortality rates [7,109].”
From The Power of Environment: A Comprehensive Review of the Exposome's Role in Healthy Aging, Longevity, and Preventive Medicine-Lessons from Blue Zones and Cilento (2025) · cites this paper as [109]
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- Authors
- Reblin, M., & Uchino, B. N.
- Affiliations
- University of Utah (US)
- Corresponding author
- Uchino, Bert N
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Psychiatry
- Published
- 2008-03
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 201-205
- ISSN
- 0951-7367 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2729718
- OpenAlex
- W2100019263
- Cited by
- 901
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 33 · 2025: 87 · 2024: 67 · 2023: 68 · 2022: 80 · 2021: 92 · 2020: 87 · 2019: 78 · 2018: 72 · 2017: 48 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 24
- FWCI
- 2.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Aging (R21AG029239)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL 085106, R01HL085106)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Health and Well-being Studies
- Keywords
- social support, emotional support, physical health, social support interventions, inflammation, health behavior, quality of life, chronic disease
- MeSH terms
- Affect, Health Status, Humans, Mental Health Services, Social Support, Mood Disorders
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