Social connectedness serves as a key component of overall health, helping individuals regulate their emotions, reducing rates of anxiety and depression and even protecting against serious illnesses and diseases. Despite the numerous options technology gives us to connect with others, over half of respondents in a recent Meta-Gallup survey reported feelings of loneliness at least some of the time, and nearly a quarter of respondents said they felt very lonely.
While many people feel that their communities are losing a sense of connection and engagement, there are steps we can take to increase social capital and prevent loneliness.
Definition of Social Capital and Its Role in Relationships
In 1995, American political scientist Robert D. Putnam wrote an essay entitled, “Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital.” In it, he observed that the number of people who bowled increased over the 20 years prior, but the number of people who participated in bowling leagues had dropped. He posited that when people bowled alone, they no longer benefited from the social interactions they’d experienced as league members.
Putnam described how in-person social interaction frequency and quality have declined since 1950. He cited data from the General Social Survey, which showed a drop in membership in social organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis and Lions Club. For the most part, organizations that saw membership growth included groups such as the American Association of Retired Persons. Membership in these groups involved sending in dues or reading the occasional newsletter, but it didn’t necessarily facilitate face-to-face interactions.
Demanding work schedules, an increase in dual-income households and an uptick in children’s extracurricular activities leave many Americans with very limited free time. Often, people spend their leisure time decompressing, feeling reluctant to take on more commitments and responsibilities. An unfortunate byproduct of this trend is isolation, as people have fewer opportunities to build connections with others.
Understanding Social Capital in a Modern Society
Essentially, social capital is the benefits people get when they form and cultivate social bonds. These bonds may come from formal networks, such as professional or religious associations, or informal networks such as friendships and family relationships. Both types of networks provide individuals with access to opportunities, information and resources.
Social capital comes with a wide range of benefits, not just for the individual but for the entire community. When people have strong connections, communities see less crime, increased economic growth and better health outcomes.
Types of Social Capital
There are several types of social capital, including:
- Relational Capital: The relationships we have with the people around us
- Cognitive Capital: The knowledge we exchange with those in our world
- Structural Capital: The frameworks that support the capabilities of an organization or a community; this may include tangible assets such as buildings or technology, as well as intangibles such as policies and procedures
The Role of Social Capital in Fostering Empathy and Support
Functioning as part of a group causes a mental shift. The members look at themselves as a single unit, and they tend to share in one another’s triumphs and challenges.
For example, if a family in Scouting America experiences financial hardship or a significant health issue, the other members identify with that struggle – recognizing it as something that affects the group as a whole and not just the individual – and rally around them. The members have the opportunity to develop greater empathy while the individual or family in need gains emotional and practical support.
Impact of Declining Social Networks on Loneliness
For all their benefits, social networks come with added responsibilities and expectations. In a society where so many people feel stretched too thin, maintaining social ties can be seen as nonessential. For that reason, participation in social networks is often one of the first things to go when people are planning how to allocate their time and energy.
Unfortunately, while this may free up some time and lighten an individual’s responsibility load, it can push them toward isolation and loneliness.
The Factors that Lead to Declining Social Networks
The decline of social networks likely comes from a variety of factors, including economic issues, family structures and cultural shifts.
- Work and Time Pressures: Modern work and family demands leave less time for socializing, especially for those who have part-time jobs in addition to their full-time positions or children who participate in extracurricular activities.
- Changing Family Structures: Smaller family sizes and an increase in single-person households often mean fewer opportunities for regular social interactions.
- Economic Factors: Rising costs and increased job instability lead to stress and a reduction in how much time people spend socializing.
- Cultural Shifts: In cultures that value individualism, personal success and independence carry more weight than community well-being, reducing awareness of the importance of social engagement.
- Mental Health Issues: Mental illnesses such as depression and social anxiety limit an individual’s ability to engage in social activities.
Technology and the Illusion of Connectivity
For numerous reasons, people spend less time participating in formal social networks. At the same time, technology has moved in to fill the vacuum. Social media platforms often feature special interest groups that form around everything from fitness and birdwatching to navigating addiction or dealing with the loss of a loved one.
In a lot of ways, this closely mirrors the formal and informal networks people have participated in for thousands of years. It gives people an opportunity to connect over shared interests or experiences and exchange knowledge. Additionally, these groups can provide remarkable social support. It’s not unusual to see a member of a group venture off-topic to share a tragedy they’ve experienced, and for other members of the group to offer encouragement, condolences or similar stories.
While technology can undoubtedly be a catalyst for real connection, it has significant shortcomings. The anonymity it provides lets people present a carefully curated image that’s often stripped of the authenticity individuals would see in real-life connections. Additionally, for every active participant, there are countless passive observers who give and receive minimal social benefit.
How Societal Changes Contribute to Lower Social Capital
Not all changes in social capital are due to shifts in personal values and priorities. Culture also impacts a person’s ability to form social bonds.
Urbanization and Its Impact on Social Connections
Most people need to live in or near large cities where they find the best job opportunities. As more workers move to densely populated urban areas or are required to relocate for work, maintaining social ties becomes challenging. It’s hard to be the newcomer trying to make friends, and it’s equally hard to invest in budding friendships when the job market or an employer could demand a relocation.
Technological Advances: Connection or Isolation?
On the one hand, social media platforms and messaging apps have fostered socialization, making it possible to connect with people across the globe. On the other, it’s facilitated isolation by offering a convenient (though relatively shallow) means of interacting with others. Individuals may feel like they get the benefits of engaging with others without risking the awkwardness and vulnerability that come with in-person interaction.
For that reason, an increasing number of people prioritize online interactions over face-to-face communication. This not only lacks the richness of in-person connections but also leads to social skills becoming rusty or underdeveloped.
Strategies to Rebuild Social Connections
The good news is that this trend toward individualism and isolation isn’t a life sentence. People can choose to overcome the new norms and commit to rebuilding social connections. Some practical ways to build up social capital include:
- Revitalizing Community Engagement: On a community level, investing in public spaces such as parks, launching online region-based forums and forming partnerships among local businesses can help rebuild social connections.
- Using Technology to Enhance, Not Replace, Human Interaction: Technology can be a powerful tool for planning activities, reconnecting with friends or family or finding local social networks. People gain the most benefit from technology when they use it as a means rather than a substitute for socialization.
- Personal Efforts to Rebuild Social Capital: Seek out social groups, clubs and networks. From volunteering at local parks or enrolling in programs at the community’s library to joining an interest- or faith-based group or organization, there are numerous opportunities for cultivating social capital.
Conclusion
Enrollment in social networks is down and around half the population reports feelings of loneliness. While this takes a toll on mental and physical health, there are several steps individuals can take to reclaim social connections, including seeking out participation opportunities and using technology as a tool, not a replacement, for connection.
For many people, mental illness is one of the biggest obstacles to cultivating social connections. If you or someone you love is living with depression, anxiety or substance use disorder, contact us today to learn how we can help.
