Social Connectedness 101: The Many Pathways to Social Connection
Edited by Stephen Braren
In the first installment of this Social Connectedness 101 series, we defined “social connectedness” and introduced its importance for our health and well-being. Indeed, social connectedness can influence everything from our mental health [1], to our success at work [2], and even our physical health and life expectancy [3]. In this second installment we continue to break down the science of social connectedness by illuminating the various ways that we can experience the benefits of social connectedness—the “many pathways to social connection.”
While it is easy to assume that social connectedness occurs only through strong relationships with close friends, family members, or romantic partners, social ties that extend far beyond intimate relationships can also influence how socially connected we feel. In fact, research has identified three distinct dimensions of social connectedness: Intimate, Relational, and Collective [4].
Intimate social connectedness is defined as the perceived closeness to a nurturing companion who affirms our values as an individual. Such companions can include a spouse, romantic partner, or anyone with whom we share a deep, mutual bond of affection and trust. We rely on these inner circle relationships for mutual assistance, including emotional and practical support in crises. And studies have shown that we typically devote around 40% of our available social time to our five most intimate social connections [5,6].
Relational social connectedness refers to the perceived presence of friendships or family connections who provide support and mutual aid. These interpersonal relationships within our middle circle—which typically include 15-50 people [6,7]—are more casual than those within our inner, more intimate circle, but still provide us with a sense of closeness and can be relied upon for substantial support (i.e., childcare, loans, etc.). Studies have shown that connecting with close friends and/or relatives at least every two weeks predicts higher levels of relational social connectedness [4].
Collective social connectedness is the perceived presence of a meaningful connection with a group of people. Such groups can include teams, volunteer groups, schools, and organizations, for instance. Interacting with a network or community of people through common interests or a shared sense of purpose—whether through occasional interactions at work, in our neighborhood, place of worship, or online—contributes to our “collective identity,” making us feel part of something larger than ourselves [7]. Research shows that the more groups we voluntarily belong to, the more likely we are to report higher levels of collective social connectedness [7]. This dimension of social connectedness roughly corresponds to our outermost social circle, which can include anywhere from 150-1,500 people [6].
All three of these dimensions—intimate, relational, and collective—are important. Although we tend to focus on our closest relationships, even the people we associate with most peripherally contribute to our sense of social connectedness. Indeed, studies have shown that both strong and weak social ties within our social networks contribute to our overall experience of social connectedness and predict outcomes related to our health and well-being, for better or worse [8].
A lack of perceived connectedness across any dimension of social connectedness can lead to loneliness. Even if we have a supportive partner, we can still feel lonely for friends or community, and vice versa. Conversely, the presence of perceived connectedness in one dimension can help protect against loneliness when connections are perceived as lacking in another dimension. Regular contact with friends, family, and others in our communities can help keep loneliness at bay for those of us without an intimate partner [4].
The bottom line is that there are many pathways to connection. Interactions with others across all areas of life, whether at home, in schools, at work, or other settings—in person or from a distance—all contribute to our feelings of social connectedness and well-being. And while some of these pathways to connection may be more difficult for us to navigate at times, especially in the midst of a pandemic, we can at least take comfort in knowing that there is no one way to reap the benefits of social connection.
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In-text references
[1] Cacioppo, J. T., & Patrick, W. (2008). Loneliness: Human nature and the need for social connection. WW Norton & Company.
[2] Ozcelik, H., & Barsade, S. G. (2018). No employee an island: Workplace loneliness and job performance. Academy of Management Journal, 61(6), 2343-2366.
[3] Holt-Lunstad, J., Robles, T. F., & Sbarra, D. A. (2017). Advancing social connection as a public health priority in the United States. American Psychologist, 72(6), 517.
[4] Hawkley, L. C., Browne, M. W., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2005). How can I connect with thee? Let me count the ways. Psychological Science, 16(10), 798-804.
[5] Sutcliffe, A. J., Dunbar, R. I. M., Binder, J., Arrow, H. (2012). Relationships and the social brain: Integrating psychological and evolutionary perspectives. British Journal of Psychology, 103, 149–168.
[6] Dunbar, R. I. (2014). The social brain: Psychological underpinnings and implications for the structure of organizations. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(2), 109-114.
[7] Cacioppo, S., Grippo, A. J., London, S., Goossens, L., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2015). Loneliness: Clinical import and interventions. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 238-249.
[8] Sandstrom, G. M., & Dunn, E. W. (2014). Social interactions and well-being: The surprising power of weak ties. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 40(7), 910-922.