Friendships Are More Important Than Family

The bonds between friends get much stronger with age, and eventually, they can even outweigh the benefits of family relationships, according to a new study.

Friendships play a key role in health and happiness – especially as we get older, revealed dual studies involving thousands of participants around the world.

These relationships can ‘make a world of difference,’ researchers say, and even affect how we respond to illness.

 The research included two studies: one on relationships and self-rated health and happiness, and another on relationship support/strain and chronic illness, according to Daily Mail.

In the first study, the researcher analyzed the responses of 271,053 in a survey encompassing all ages, and people from nearly 100 countries.

Overall, this revealed that both family and friend relationships are tied to higher self-rated levels of health and happiness.

But, as age increased, the researchers found that friendships were more influential than family when it comes to predicting these states.

‘Friendships become even more important as we age,’ said William Chopik, assistant professor of psychology

Keeping a few really good friends around can make a world of difference for our health and well-being.

‘So it’s smart to invest in the friendship that make you happiest.

In the second study, the researcher analyzed data from a survey of 7,481 adults

And, this found that friendships played an important role in how older adults feel

For adults who had friends that often tended to be a source of strain, the researchers noted these people reported more chronic illnesses.

For those who had supportive friends, on the other hand, the participants were happier.

‘There are now a few studies starting to show just how important friendships can be for older adults,’ Chopik said.

‘Summaries of these studies show that friendships predict day-to-day happiness more and ultimately how long we’ll live, more so than spousal and family relationships.’

The researchers say this may have something to do with the fact that friends are chosen – and, over time, people mostly only hang onto the good ones.

They can also be a source of support for people who may not have family they can turn to.

While family relationships are ‘often enjoyable too,’ the researcher explains that these can also involve more serious and negative interactions.

Or, family interactions can even just be monotonous in comparison.

‘Friendships help us stave off loneliness but are often harder to maintain across the lifespan,’ Chopik said.

‘If a friendship has survived the test of time, you know it must be a good one – a person you turn to for help and advice often and a person you wanted in your life.’

N.H.Kh