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Well you have reported previously that social support is important…
Yes, there is plenty of evidence to show that it is good for mood and psychological wellbeing.
And being helped?
I also reported that having someone who is a good listener is surprisingly important to health.
And what is different about this latest study then?
What is interesting is that in this study from Ohio State University, first of all, looked at the two-way relationship. Few surveys, if any, ask if you are available for support but rather only if you receive social support.
Secondly, they measured inflammatory responses in the blood. Notably of interleukin-6 which is marker of systemic inflammation in the body and related to many common chronic and severe disorders such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
And what did these researchers find?
They found that there is a relationship with being available to give support to others and lower levels of interleukin-6. That is promising. But this was strongest in women.
That supports the tend and befriend theory that you have also reported on previously
Indeed, but the researchers note the data set is not large enough to say if this is specific to women. I…
