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Role of Social Groups

Social groups play a fascinating role in human development. From the cradle to the grave, these groups, which include family, friends, classmates and co-workers, impact both mental and physical health. By paying attention to your social groups or a lack of them, you can improve self-perception, happiness and longevity.

  1. Mental Health

    • Social groups can greatly affect the state of your mental health. Many therapeutic programs for those who suffer from mental illness are focused on reducing isolation, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Weekly or daily contact with friends, family or special interest groups such as art classes, birdwatching groups or sports teams can help relieve anxiety and depression.

      According to RealAge.com, "Developing your social side is crucial for well-being. Studies show that people who are socially active, who are compassionate, and who are emotionally generous have higher levels of happiness and live longer than people who lead a more solitary life."

    Physical Health

    • Physical health can be improved by connecting with others either within the family, at work or in the community. RealAge.com, a website devoted to helping people reduce health risk factors, advises, "Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your RealAge up to 16 years younger.

    Children

    • Peer (same age) social groups offer children a chance to develop social skills, like leadership, sharing and empathy. According to MindDisorders.com., "Peer groups also offer the opportunity to experiment with new roles and interactions, similar to treatment groups, although they are less structured." Children learn about themselves while playing with other children, testing out acceptable and unacceptable language, behaviors and gender roles.

    Adolescents

    • Adolescent social groups offer teens the ability to try on different roles and perspectives by shifting from one group to another. For example, a teenager might be a musician, but play different roles in a school marching band than he does within a band made up of his friends. Teenagers often make frequent changes from one group to another, in order to "find themselves,' according to MindDisorders.com. While adults can find these short-lived interests frustrating, for adolescents, these social groups serve a crucial purpose. They help teens build self-esteem when they meet others with similar thoughts and feelings.

    Adults

    • RealAge.com's Drs. Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz suggest "If you can make your activities social, all the better. Whereas personal hobbies, such as knitting, have been linked to an increase in happiness, social activities have been associated with an increase in both happiness and life expectancy."

      The elderly, who may have decreased contact with loved ones and friends due to loss, can still connect with others in the community through senior centers or special interest groups.

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