Being supportive in our social relationships is linked to better health

Previous research has linked positive interpersonal relationships to better health. A recent study from Ohio University extended the findings by highlightnng that this relationship is influenced by the degree to which we are supportive to people around us.

More specifically, an indicator of health status is the presence or absence of chronic inflammation. The researchers examined the levels of specific proteins - markers of inflammation in the blood, as well as the responses of 1054 adult participants to questionnaires regarding the quality of their interpersonal relationships. According to the results, people who had good interpersonal relationships showed lower levels of the proteins - markers of inflammation (and therefore better health status) when they were more supportive and available to offer help in their interpersonal relationships.

One possible explanation  according to the researchers, is that when, in addition to receiving, we also provide support and help in our interpersonal relationships, a sense of reward is enhanced, which at the brain level is linked to hormones that relieve stress and reduce inflammation levels in our body.

In other words, it is not enough to have people we can lean on in our environment, but we also need to be available to help and support. In that way, we will be able to reap not only the practical but also the health benefits.

Journal Reference:

Jiang, T., Yakin, S., Crocker, J., & Way, B. M. (2022). Perceived social support-giving moderates the association between social relationships and interleukin-6 levels in blood. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 100, 25-28.