Lifelong Social Connections Linked to Slower Biological Aging
A lifetime of strong social connections – from supportive childhoods to robust community involvement – may significantly slow the biological aging process,according to new research published in Brain,behavior and Immunity – Health. The study,drawing on data from over 2,100 adults participating in the long-running MIDUS study,reveals that individuals with greater “cumulative social advantage” exhibit a younger biological age than thier chronological age,as measured by analyzing DNA methylation patterns.
Researchers, led by Cornell University psychology professor Anthony Ong, found that those with higher levels of cumulative social advantage showed slower epigenetic aging and reduced chronic inflammation. They focused on epigenetic clocks - grimage and DunedinPACE – which are highly predictive of health and longevity, and observed significantly younger profiles on both in individuals with stronger, more sustained social networks.
“Cumulative social advantage encompasses the depth and breadth of your social connections over a lifetime,” explains Ong.The study considered four key areas: parental warmth during childhood, connection to community and neighborhood, involvement in religious or faith-based communities, and ongoing support from friends and family.
The research suggests that this sustained social advantage impacts core biological systems linked to aging, including epigenetic, inflammatory, and neuroendocrine pathways. Notably, higher social advantage correlated with lower levels of interleukin-6, a pro-inflammatory molecule associated with serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Interestingly, the study did not find notable links to short-term stress markers like cortisol.
This study differs from previous research by viewing social well-being not as isolated factors (like marital status or number of friends) but as a multidimensional,cumulative construct. The benefits of social connection appear to build upon each other over time.
“These social resources build on each other,” Ong emphasizes. “It’s not just about having friends today; it’s about how your social connections have grown and deepened throughout your life. That accumulation shapes your health trajectory in measurable ways.”
While a single act of connection won’t reverse aging, the study underscores the importance of consistent, deep social engagement throughout life. The findings reinforce the growing understanding that social life is not merely about happiness, but a fundamental pillar of physiological health. As ong puts it, “Think of social connections like a retirement account – the earlier you start investing and the more consistently you contribute, the greater your returns, both emotionally and biologically.”
