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Study Says Friendship Quality Is Better Than Quantity For Wellbeing

Less is more. - by Lauren Williamson
  • 19 Nov 2019
Study Says Friendship Quality Is Better Than Quantity For Wellbeing

You might have an impressive Insta following and a Facebook feed full of acquaintances but research has found that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to friendships and their impact on our wellbeing. 

A study published in Psychology and Aging surveyed 1,496 adults of various ages about their social networks, interactions and their feelings of wellbeing. Unsurprisingly, the findings showed that younger people had large social networks consisting of mostly "peripheral others" (e.g. coworkers, school or childhood relations, people who provide a service) 

RELATED: Science Says Women Should Hang Out With Their Besties At least Twice A Week

Their findings showed the number of friends people counted as close was the only factor that impacted their perception of their wellbeing and how satisfied they were with their social life.

"Stereotypes of ageing tend to paint older adults in many cultures as sad and lonely," said Wändi Bruine de Bruin, PhD, of the University of Leeds and lead author of the study. "But the research shows that older adults' smaller networks didn't undermine social satisfaction and well-being. In fact, older adults tend to report better well-being than younger adults."

This trend is backed by plenty of other research. In fact, 30 per cent of millennials say they always or often feel lonely, compared with 20 per cent of Gen X and 15 per cent of baby boomers, according to intel from data analytics firm YouGov. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of millennials say they have no friends and Relationships Australia reveals that the highest rates of female social isolation are in the 25 to 29-year-old age bracket. 

Given that lacking social connections can be as lethal as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, according to research in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, it might be time to take your social interactions off the Internet and into IRL.

RELATED: Why Young Women Are Experiencing An Epidemic Of Loneliness

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Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson
Lauren Williamson is the Digital Content Manager for Women's Health and Men's Health. She's an experienced journalist, editor and social media fiend who's well versed in reporting on everything from food trends to fitness, health news to haircare. She has a double degree in Journalism and Political Science.

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