Social relationships have been researched by psychologists for some time, with the results consistently showing a significant link between quality social relationships and improved health (Umberson & Karas Montez, 2010).
Social development is integral to physiological and emotional health from infancy (e.g., attachment theory; Bowlby, 1988) to old age.
For example, among seniors, experiencing a sense of belongingness support has been associated with lower levels of diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, and emphysema (Tomaka, Thompson, & Palacios, 2006).
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