Mortality and social support

A study examines the link between mortality in the United States and social support given to and received from others. Prior research has highlighted the benefits of both giving and receiving social support, such as helping others with errands or childcare. However, it remains unclear whether the balance between social support that individuals give versus receive is associated with health. Edith Chen and colleagues examined data of 6,325 US adults who completed the Survey of Midlife Development in the United States between 1995 and 1996. Respondents estimated the number of hours per month they both gave and received social support. Survey data were also compared with National Death Index Reports of respondent mortality through October 2018. Individuals who received more social support than they gave exhibited a higher risk of mortality than individuals with balanced social support. Similarly, individuals who gave more than 9 hours of social support per month than they received also exhibited a higher risk of mortality than individuals with balanced social support. The findings suggest the importance of encouraging individuals to give social support in moderation while being willing to accept social support, according to the authors.

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Article #20-24770: “The balance of giving versus receiving social support and all-cause mortality in a US national sample,” by Edith Chen et al.

MEDIA CONTACT: Edith Chen, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; tel: 847-467-0366; email: <

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