Social connections can be a powerful buffer against depression—especially for older adults with fewer resources.
Published In: JAMA Network Open
Date: September 2025
Authors: Takemura, et al.
Link to Study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2838605
Summary
This large study from Japan followed over 11,000 older adults for six years to understand how social participation impacts depression. Researchers found that engaging in activities like hobby groups, neighborhood clubs, or volunteering at least once a month was linked to a lower risk of developing depressive symptoms—particularly for older individuals with lower income, education, or who lived alone. The findings suggest that increasing opportunities for social interaction can significantly improve mental well-being and reduce health inequalities as people age.
Key Takeaways
✅ Social participation reduced the risk of depression by 4.1 percentage points among older adults with fewer resources.
✅ The strongest mental health benefits were seen in people who were older, lived alone, had lower income or education, or were past smokers.
✅ No meaningful mental health benefit was found for socially advantaged older adults.
✅ Participating even just once a month in group activities was enough to see benefits.
✅ These findings support targeting social connection strategies to underserved aging populations.
Why It Matters for You
Staying socially active may protect your brain and mood as you age—especially if you’re feeling isolated, retired, or on a fixed income. Building and maintaining regular social connections could help prevent depression and possibly reduce your long-term risk of dementia.
Citation
Takemura, Y., Inoue, K., Sato, K., Haseda, M., Shiba, K., & Kondo, N. (2025). Social participation and depressive symptoms among older adults. JAMA Network Open, 8(9), e2530523. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.30523