Research tells us that the social health of an individual is about connecting with others for the secondary benefit of wellness. Learning our personal level of socialization to optimize our health is key. There are many studies suggesting that loneliness can have detrimental effects on health. It is recommended to have a meaningful conversation at least once per day to stay socially healthy.
In order to optimize yourself, you must understand the level of socialization that is a healthy amount for you. It is a common belief that socialization can have a positive impact on the immune system. Research indicates that socialization can lead to higher levels of the immuno-protective antibody, immunoglobulin A (IgA), that fights infection. It is also believed that positive social interactions may reduce stress for children with special needs.
Measurement of Social Health
Abstract This paper describes an attempt to define and measure the social health of individuals in terms of the degree to which they are functioning members of their community. Data were taken from questionnaires completed by 6928 adults in an area-probability sample of Alameda County, California households. Components of the social health index are employability, marital satisfaction, sociability, and community involvement.
This index was associated with psychological well-being and other psychological measures, with the physical spectrum, and with subjective evaluations of own health. Physically and psychologically healthy people are presumably better equipped than others to qualify for secure jobs, to maintain satisfactory marriages, and to become involved with others informally or in organized contexts. At the same time, socially healthy people may, as a consequence of their social health, be more likely to enjoy good physical health and psychological well-being than people who are dissatisfied with their marriages, socially isolated, and/or relatively unemployable
@article{Renne1974MeasurementOS, title={Measurement of social wellness in a general population survey.}, author={Karen S. Renne}, journal={Social Science Research}, year={1974}, volume={3}, pages={25-44} }
Social Credit Score Coming to America?
Measurement of socialization in a general population survey
Abstract This paper describes an attempt to define and measure the social health of individuals in terms of the degree to which they are functioning members of their community. Data were taken from questionnaires completed by 6928 adults in an area-probability sample of Alameda County, California households. Components of the social health index are employability, marital satisfaction, sociability, and community involvement.
This index was associated with psychological well-being and other psychological measures, with the physical health spectrum, and with subjective evaluations of own health. Physically and psychologically healthy people are presumably better equipped than others to qualify for secure jobs, to maintain satisfactory marriages, and to become involved with others informally or in organized contexts. At the same time, socially healthy people may, as a consequence of their social health, be more likely to enjoy good physical health and psychological well-being than people who are dissatisfied with their marriages, socially isolated, and/or relatively unemployable
@article{Renne1974MeasurementOS, title={Measurement of social health in a general population survey.}, author={Karen S. Renne}, journal={Social Science Research}, year={1974}, volume={3}, pages={25-44} }
Social Study Links Isolation to Disease
A 2009 study by the University of California San Diego found that mice who were socially isolated displayed significantly higher levels of stress hormones. Socially isolated mice also had higher levels of inflammatory proteins associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other diseases.
We also explore how the current polarized society is affecting social health in a negative manner. Socialization is not a black and white conclusion. Many people require what others may deem as unhealthy isolation to cope. A theory might be that those who have created strong pillars of health may not require the amount of socialization that less holistically healthy people do. As mentioned, this pillar can be somewhat nebulous with less universal support as the other pillars. Join us in exploring social health in depth through our variety of blog articles.
The eight pillars subsequently must include socialization in consideration of overall wellness. As is the same with all the pillars, the social pillar is equally important to achieve holistic wellness.
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