This book explores the fundamental role of interpersonal connections in human well-being and mental health. Belonging to a larger community and having meaningful relationships are essential human needs—we are, after all, social animals. Just as isolation in the animal kingdom can prove fatal, human disconnection from community can lead to profound psychological and physical suffering, commonly experienced as loneliness.
Social support enhances our sense of belonging, while its absence contributes to psychological stress and adverse health outcomes. The twenty-first century has been aptly described as the "age of relationships," as recognition grows around the critical importance of social connection. Loneliness has emerged as a significant public health concern, with prevalence rates reaching what many scholars describe as epidemic proportions. Research confirms that social support and connectedness are among the most vital contributors to wellbeing. Supportive close relationships help people cope with stress and fulfill basic needs such as love, intimacy, companionship, and security. This book compiles articles that highlight the centrality of these experiences in human existence.
This book is essential reading for students, mental health professionals, psychologists, social workers, public health practitioners, and researchers in behavioral sciences. It addresses broad subject areas including social psychology, mental health, public health, loneliness studies, and interpersonal relationships.
The chapters in this book were originally published in The Journal of Psychology.