Americans value social connections, friendships for mental health

Most Americans value the impact of their friends, family and social connections on their mental health, according to survey results from the American Psychiatric Association.

“Our social connections are a big part of what makes us human, and they are important to mental health,” APA President Rebecca W. Brendel, MD, JD, said in a press release. “It is encouraging to see that many Americans recognize the importance of maintaining healthy relationships. Even so, about one in five people has lost connection as a consequence of the pandemic, making it even more important to reach out to others. It is one of the most mentally healthy things we can do, for ourselves and the people in our lives.”

The results come from the latest Healthy Minds Monthly survey, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the APA. A total of 2,202 adults took part in the survey from Jan. 18 to Jan. 20.

According to the release, 62% of Americans surveyed indicated that their friends had a “mostly positive impact” on their mental health. In addition, 72% were satisfied with the number of social connections they had, while 76% were satisfied with the quality of these connections.

The top three most important relationships to most Americans surveyed were their children (56%), their spouse/partner (54%) and their parents (50%).

“We need the people in our lives that listen to us, can cheer us on and can provide comfort when things go wrong,” APA CEO and medical director Saul Levin, MD, MPA, said in the release. “Thinking about the positive aspects of our social connections can inspire us to reach out to our friends and families, no matter where we find them. The rewards are wired in those moments.”