A comprehensive study reveals that the belief that help is available plays a crucial role in mental health, work performance and overall well-being, especially for adolescents.
People who feel supported by their family, friends and colleagues tend to thrive mentally, physically and socially, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
“This study underscores the importance of considering the associations between multiple types and sources of perceived social support and multiple domains of human thriving,” lead author GeckHong Yeo, of the National University of Singapore, said in a news release. “Our findings also suggest that adolescents, in particular, can benefit from perceived social support — especially from parents — for improving physical health and reducing risk-taking behavior.”
The research, published in the Psychological Bulletin, examined how perceived social support — a belief in the availability of help if needed — affects well-being. The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 604 studies involving more than 894,000 participants from over 30 countries, including the United States, the UK and Germany.
This comprehensive study provides insights into the significant role perceived social support plays in human thriving across various life domains, such as mental health, physical health, risk-taking behavior, education and work performance.
“On average, perceived social support had the largest associations with better mental health and better work performance,” Yeo added. “Perceived social support also demonstrated significant associations with better physical health, lower risk-taking behaviors, and better educational functioning.”
While the impact of perceived social support didn’t show significant gender differences, it varied notably by age and culture. Strong perceived support was crucial for avoiding risky behavior and maintaining physical health during childhood and adolescence, more so than in adulthood.
Additionally, support was more strongly linked to educational success in non-Western cultures, whereas in Western cultures, it was more closely connected with work performance.
The implications of these findings are far-reaching. By fostering strong social connections, communities can bolster individual well-being and success in several key areas of life.
“By identifying the types and sources of support that matter most, we can design targeted interventions to improve mental health, physical health and overall quality of life,” added Yeo. “Our findings can help policymakers, health professionals and social service providers build stronger support networks that promote thriving across different areas of life and contribute to overall well-being.”