情色空间

In 鈥�,鈥� recently published in the American Sociological Association鈥檚 open access, peer-reviewed journal Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, Goldman and co-author Erin York Cornwell, an associate professor of sociology at Cornell University, reveal that the short-term dynamics of 鈥渟ocial accompaniment鈥� (being with others) have important implications for individuals鈥� health and well-being.

鈥淭his investigation allowed us to elucidate how health-relevant processes that unfold in real time may be distinct from the longer-term associations that are captured through more traditional survey measures,鈥� said Goldman. 鈥淥ur findings suggest that social accompaniment, particularly with non-family members, is associated with lower levels of real-time fatigue and stress, even when accounting for baseline measures of respondent social integration and overall health.

鈥淚n other words, we asked whether being co-present with a social tie is relevant for health in the moment. Do people feel better when they鈥檙e together?鈥�

The researchers used smartphones to collect ecological momentary assessments, or EMAs, from nearly 350 older adults in the Chicago Health and Activity Space in Real-Time (CHART) study. Respondents carried the smartphones with them throughout their day-to-day activities, and were 鈥減inged鈥� five times per day to complete brief surveys that asked a number of questions about who they were with, how they felt, where they were, and their observations about their current social context in real time.

Over the course of three, one-week observation periods, these EMAs provided a glimpse into the dynamic and transitory aspects of social accompaniment in daily life. The results indicated that older adults who are in the company of friends or neighbors are significantly less likely to experience momentary fatigue and stress, suggesting that co-presence with a social tie has unique implications for short-term health outcomes.

The authors cite recent evidence that momentary health assessments can reveal physiological states that contribute to longer-term disease processes and mental health conditions. Stress, for example, can contribute over time to underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, while chronic stress can cause wear and tear on the body鈥檚 physiological capacity to regulate, and lead to heightened levels of inflammation, pain and fatigue.

鈥淲hereas momentary symptoms are important given their link to longer-term conditions, they are also consequential in and of themselves, and in ways that may not be reflected in conventional summary measures of well-being,鈥� they noted. 鈥淢oment-in-time experiences of pain and fatigue could limit an individual鈥檚 ability or willingness to pursue a particular activity, which could constrain participation in potentially health-enhancing social engagement. Likewise, fluctuations in these symptoms throughout the day could carry implications for accessing social and other resources, for example, whether one feels well enough to run an errand, attend religious services or a group activity, or provide some type of instrumental or emotional support to a friend or family member.鈥�

Goldman underscored the study鈥檚 relevance in light of U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy鈥檚 recent advisory addressing the 鈥渆pidemic of loneliness and isolation鈥� affecting the country, in which he affirmed that social connection is as essential to humanity as food, water or shelter. Furthermore, he noted that humans have historically needed to rely on each other for survival, and today, people remain wired for that connection and for proximity to others.

鈥淭he unique value of being with a friend or neighbor is consistent with other research pointing to the growing importance of older adults鈥� non-kin and local ties,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ven day-to-day fluctuations in social isolation have implications for immediate health symptoms,鈥� she said.

The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health.
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