Social Relationships and Mental Health: Why Loneliness Increases the Risk of Death, Including Cardiovascular Disease

When managing mental health, 'social relationships' are an element as important as exercise, sleep, and diet. Many people attempt to solve mental issues alone, dismissing them as matters of individual willpower, but this is because humans are beings who gain emotional stability through interaction with others.

According to a video from Uihak Channel Biondwi, Dr. Kim Hyeong-in, director of Seoul Huimang Psychiatry Clinic, explains that social connection is a concept that includes not just the number of people one knows, but also the structure and function of relationships, as well as their qualitative level. Dr. Kim emphasized, "The feeling that 'this is a safe base camp' ultimately stems from relationships," noting that people come to perceive the world as a safe place through the warmth, voices, and reactions of others.

Loneliness is not just an emotion, but a 'health signal'

Social isolation and loneliness are risk factors directly linked to physical health. Dr. Kim defined loneliness as a 'health signal' and warned that high levels of social isolation can significantly increase the overall risk of death, including cardiovascular disease. This suggests that social connection is one of the core pillars supporting both physical and mental health.

In particular, loneliness can appear across all age groups, but it occurs frequently among the sensitive younger generation or the elderly whose acquaintances are passing away. As a metric for assessing one's current health status, Dr. Kim recommended checking, "How many people are there who worry about my expression when I am having a hard time, or who I can talk to about my difficulties and receive interest from?"

Two psychological models created by attachment experiences

Repeated relationship experiences accumulated since childhood form 'attachment,' which serves as the psychological foundation in adulthood. Dr. Kim explains that these attachment experiences create two important psychological models. The first is the self-model, asking 'Am I a person worthy of being loved?', and the second is the other-model, asking 'Will others help me when I am having a hard time?'

If this attachment is formed unstably, it can negatively impact mental health. This includes being anxious that a partner might leave, or conversely, an avoidant attitude of keeping excessive distance for fear that others might invade one's territory. For healthy mental health, Dr. Kim advised that efforts to maintain social connections—such as sharing warm emotions with those around you and, if necessary, reaching out to loved ones first to express gratitude—are essential.