{"id":11675,"date":"2024-11-25T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=11675"},"modified":"2024-11-25T20:30:02","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T20:30:02","slug":"quality-of-social-network-friendships-can-combat-loneliness-new-study-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/quality-of-social-network-friendships-can-combat-loneliness-new-study-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Quality of Social Network Friendships Can Combat Loneliness, New Study Finds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">A new study from the University of Arkansas highlights the positive impacts of quality social network friendships on self-esteem and loneliness, providing potential solutions for combating the rising epidemic of loneliness in the U.S.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0dfbf163 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States, affecting one-third of Americans who report experiencing \u201cserious loneliness\u201d in recent years. Notably, a lack of social interaction has been associated with a higher risk of depression, self-harm and even suicide, contributing to a record 50,000 suicides in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As modern life becomes more digitized, interpersonal connections give way to virtual interactions, particularly among young adults. Americans aged 18-29 now spend over five hours daily on social networking, amplifying concerns about the negative psychological impacts of excessive social media use. However, a new study led by Brandon Bouchillon, an associate professor of journalism at the University of Arkansas, offers an optimistic perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0736585324001163\">Published<\/a> in the journal Telematics and Informatics, Bouchillon\u2019s study investigates the potential for social networking sites to alleviate loneliness through meaningful digital friendships. The research reveals that motivated use of these platforms to foster genuine connections can significantly enhance self-esteem and reduce feelings of isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m finding that changes to personal networks \u2014 feeling closeness and camaraderie with other users social networking \u2014 can lead to increased feelings of self-worth, and this relates to lower levels of perceived social isolation, even over time,\u201d Bouchillon said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/news.uark.edu\/articles\/72963\/social-networked-friendship-quality-can-be-means-of-combating-loneliness\" title=\"\">news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study differentiates between trait self-esteem, a stable, enduring form of self-esteem, and state self-esteem, a more temporary boost influenced by events like receiving a social media &#8220;like.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By surveying 1,500 participants representative of the U.S. Census demographics and following up with over half of them six weeks later, Bouchillon sought to measure the impact of networked friendship quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The participants responded to statements, such as, \u201cI am a person of worth\u201d on a scale from \u201cstrongly disagree\u201d to \u201cstrongly agree,\u201d and reported their feelings of loneliness and social isolation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study found that younger participants (ages 18-39) who sensed camaraderie through social networking experienced significant boosts in self-esteem that lasted for weeks, which subsequently reduced their loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSo despite the fact that how you feel about yourself is mostly stable through life,\u201d Bouchillon added, \u201cconnecting with people and sensing camaraderie even remotely can lead to feeling better about yourself, and less lonely, which in theory relates to lower chances of self-harm and suicide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, the study discovered a divergence in older age groups; individuals over 70 exhibited reduced self-esteem as their online friendships grew, perhaps indicating that they view digital connections more as substitutes rather than supplements to real-life interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This research is particularly timely given the Surgeon General\u2019s recent concerns over rising suicide rates and loneliness in America. Bouchillon emphasizes the importance of developing educational initiatives to teach younger and older generations alike how to use social networking sites effectively to build meaningful, non-political connections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His forthcoming study in Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies suggests that joining hobby or interest groups could foster these initial connections, transcending potential divisive factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Connecting over shared interests \u2014 be it sports, hiking, gardening or birdwatching \u2014 can create a solid foundation for expanding one&#8217;s personal network and fostering real-world engagements, thus building a diverse and supportive social community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States, affecting one-third of Americans who report experiencing \u201cserious loneliness\u201d in recent years. Notably, a lack of social interaction has been associated with a higher risk of depression, self-harm and even suicide, contributing to a record 50,000 suicides in 2023. As modern life becomes more [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-people-culture"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Loneliness has become an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States, affecting one-third of Americans who report experiencing \u201cserious loneliness\u201d in recent years. Notably, a lack of social interaction has been associated with a higher risk of depression, self-harm and even suicide, contributing to a record 50,000 suicides in 2023. As modern life becomes more&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11675"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11689,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11675\/revisions\/11689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}