A great new study supports in-person social interactions as protective against depression and PTSD symptoms. The study found that this protection was not seen with other social outlets, such as phone, email or social media interaction, such as Facebook. The study was conducted by the VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health and Science University.
In-person social interactions as protective measures against depression and PTSD symptoms
Dr. Alan Teo, lead author on the paper, summed up the findings this way: “When we look at a head-to-head comparison of time spent socializing on Facebook vs. face-to-face, it is the time spent in-person with our friends and family that probably matters most to reducing symptoms of depression and PTSD in Veterans.”
Social isolation intimately connected with poor mental health outcomes
It is generally acknowledged that social isolation is intimately connected with poor mental health outcomes. Emotional issues, depression and anxiety are thought to be buffered to a certain degree by social interaction, however, it may be that this social interaction needs to be in-person versus over the internet.
Study recruited 587 veterans
The study recruited 587 veterans via an online Facebook ad. They were all surveyed as to the amount of time they spent with family or friends on a daily basis as well as on Facebook. Each participant was also asked about PTSD, depression, alcohol use and suicidality.
Regular in-person contact throughout the week had a 50 percent lower risk for both PTSD & depression
Those who had regular in-person contact throughout the week had a 50 percent lower risk for both PTSD and depression compared with those who saw family or friends sporadically. The researchers caution against a clear cut causal relationship, as it may be that mental health conditions lead to more social isolation – and likely there is a bidirectional relationship, or cycle occurring.
Overarching conclusions of the study
The overarching conclusions of the study, however, are that social interaction is important for mental health, and especially for veterans. Veterans are a high-risk group for both PTSD and depression. Teo, had a great comment regarding the excitement of utilizing online social platforms to increase socialization in patients, “I think the excitement in the VA and other health systems about the opportunities associated with online interventions is great. But at the same time, this study is a bit of a reminder that the foundation to good mental health care probably starts with promoting good, old-fashioned social connections,” he says.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Razi Berry is the founder and publisher of the journal Naturopathic Doctor News & Review that has been in print since 2005 and the premier consumer-faced website of naturopathic medicine, NaturalPath. She is the host of The Natural Cancer Prevention Summit and The Heart Revolution-Heal, Empower and Follow Your Heart, and the popular 10 week Sugar Free Summer program. From a near death experience as a young girl that healed her failing heart, to later overcoming infertility and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia through naturopathic medicine, Razi has lived the mind/body healing paradigm. Her projects uniquely capture the tradition and philosophy of naturopathy: The healing power of nature, the vital life force in every living thing and the undeniable role that science and mind/body medicine have in creating health and overcoming dis-ease. Follow Razi on Facebook at Razi Berry and join us at Love is Medicine to explore the convergence of love and health.
