The first article by Holt-Lunstad et al. examines the connection between various forms of social deficits and the decreased life expectancy in older people. Its results reveal that it is possible to predict early mortality by analyzing whether an older person lacks social contacts. The second article by Valtorta et al. draws a link between cardiovascular diseases and loneliness. The researchers concluded that social isolation is associated with a higher occurrence of strokes and coronary heart disease. I have learned that a social connection is a feeling of closeness to another person. It is one of the basic needs that uphold physical and mental health and can take a form of a friendship, business partnership, or other relationship. The term “social convoy” refers to people within the same or nearest generations who share any relationship at any point in life, and it is an essential part of creating a sustainable social connection.
Self theories focus on the fact that older people undergo significant changes to their identities, such as lower self-esteem, despite maintaining a strong sense of self. Erikson’s self theory explains psychosocial development in older people by comparing integrity and despair as the primary sources of influence on social connections. In turn, socio-emotional selectivity theory discusses how older people choose to maintain relationships with those who contribute to their happiness.
Age stratification, which comes from the loss of social status and inability to fulfill previous roles, harms social interactions. The disengagement and activity theories provide differing views on the issue, although they do not contradict each other. Social convoys of older people get thinner as fewer people are available for contact, which leads to isolation and loneliness. Befriending older people and promoting healthy relationships with them is a crucial step in preventing their loss of health in late adulthood.
A few years ago, I witnessed such a phenomenon when I learned that one of our neighbors is a lonely elderly woman whose only visitors are social workers. One day she was hospitalized, and I never saw her again, and I believe that if she had any social connections, she would not appear in this situation. After learning how relationships strengthen modern society and improve the well-being of older people, I think it is crucial for adults to continue maintaining close contact with their parents and grandparents. I will definitely put additional effort into establishing this connection with my future family.