Giving Compass' Take:

· AARP publishes the findings of a study of over 40 adults in the US analyzing the different factors that influence social engagement and how it relates to brain health. 

· How does social engagement impact mental health? How can those struggling with their mental health overcome their challenges?

· Read more on the factors influencing social engagement and brain health.

AARP conducted a study of 40+ adults across the United States to understand the factors that influence social engagement, isolation, loneliness and social network size among older adults. The study also examined the relationship between social engagement, isolation, and loneliness and brain health, physical health and mental well-being.

Interviews were conducted online among 2,585 adults age 40+ using GFK’s Knowledge Panel from December 8-26, 2016.

Here are a few key findings:

  • Based on social network size, social group involvement, and satisfaction with social connectedness, four social types emerged to characterize 40+ adults: The Highly-connected, the People-People, the Givers, and the Socially-Disconnected.
  • One in five 40+ adults are “Socially-Disconnected.” They have small social networks, a low-level of social group involvement, are dissatisfied with their social connectedness, and have below-average mental well-being scores. This group is most in need of suggestions on how to improve their level of engagement.
  • The average social network size among 40+ adults is 19 family members and friends. Women tend to have larger networks overall and those age 60+ tend to have more friends.
  • Two major life events affect social network sizes among the older age cohorts. As people retire, overall network size increases through the addition of new friends to the network. As family networks contract (often with the loss of spouse/partners), social networks return to their pre-retirement size. These life events do not negatively affect well-being or reported satisfaction with relationships.
  • Adults age 40+ with larger social networks report better brain health than those with smaller social networks.
  • Many 40+ adults say they sometimes or often lack companionship (37%), find it hard to engage socially (35%), and feel isolated from others (29%). This is particularly true for adults without a spouse/partner and for those aged 50-59. In fact, adults who experience loneliness and isolation have significantly smaller social networks and lower mental well-being scores.

Read the full article about social engagement and brain health by Laura Mehegan, Chuck Rainville and Laura Skufca at AARP.