#Friendship

A new animal study suggests the hormone oxytocin does more than make us feel warm and trusting: it helps friendships form quickly and helps animals favor familiar companions while avoiding strangers. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that prairie voles genetically engineered to lack oxytocin receptors took far longer to prefer peers and were less selective in group settings, pointing to a dual role for oxytocin in promoting in-group affiliation and out-group avoidance (Neuroscience News summary of the study). The findings offer a clearer picture of the neurobiology behind friendship and raise cautious questions about how this knowledge might inform understanding of human social disorders and community wellbeing in Thailand and beyond (UC Berkeley news release).

Within Thailand’s dynamic cities and serene villages, invisible chemical messengers orchestrate one of humanity’s most treasured experiences: friendship. Revolutionary research from the University of California, Berkeley, demonstrates that oxytocin—widely recognized as the “bonding hormone”—serves as nature’s social architect, dramatically accelerating relationship formation while simultaneously refining our preferences for familiar faces over strangers.

This breakthrough carries transformative implications for Thai society, where communal harmony and selective social bonds anchor cultural identity. Berkeley scientists examined prairie voles, extraordinary creatures mirroring human social behaviors through lifelong partnerships and friendships. When researchers genetically modified these animals to eliminate oxytocin receptors, a remarkable transformation unfolded: the voles became socially indifferent, requiring significantly more time to develop companion preferences and displaying diminished selectivity within group settings.

A new wave of vole research is reframing oxytocin’s role in social life: the hormone is less a universal “cuddle chemical” and more a fine-tuner of selectivity that helps animals invest in specific relationships while turning away outsiders. In female prairie voles lacking oxytocin receptors, friendships form late, wobble easily, and fail to trump contact with strangers, according to new findings reported by University of California, Berkeley neuroscientists and collaborators and summarized by The Transmitter as a study just out in Current Biology. The work suggests oxytocin receptors are not essential for general sociability or even romantic pair bonds—but are crucial for maintaining loyal, selective friendships that endure distractions in a crowd. Those insights, scientists say, could sharpen how we think about human friendship, loneliness, and the design of social environments in Thailand and beyond.

Revolutionary neuroscience research challenges decades of conventional wisdom about oxytocin, revealing that this celebrated “love hormone” functions less as a universal bonding agent and more as a sophisticated social filter that helps individuals maintain selective relationships while excluding outsiders. University of California Berkeley scientists studying genetically modified prairie voles discovered that females lacking oxytocin receptors form friendships later in life, struggle to maintain loyal bonds, and cannot distinguish between familiar companions and strangers in social settings. These groundbreaking findings suggest oxytocin’s primary role involves supporting selective social loyalty rather than general sociability, insights that could transform approaches to human loneliness, friendship maintenance, and community social design throughout Thailand’s rapidly changing social landscape.

A groundbreaking new study reveals that for single adults, the secret to a satisfying life lies not in the number of friends they have, but in the quality and flexibility of their friendships. The research, published in the academic journal Personal Relationships, challenges longstanding stereotypes about singlehood and shows that single people who feel satisfied with their friendships and can adapt their social connections enjoy greater emotional well-being than those who simply have large friendship circles or communicate frequently with friends.

As social media makes it ever easier to bridge years of separation with a single click, more Thais find themselves weighing whether to reconnect with old friends online. A recent report in The Washington Post spotlights emerging scientific evidence and expert advice on this modern dilemma, urging readers to reflect on their motivations and the risks before reaching out to long-lost acquaintances (Washington Post).

The significance of these findings is particularly salient in Thailand, where social harmony and close-knit communities are deeply embedded in culture, yet where digital transformation has expanded networks beyond traditional boundaries. Whether prompted by curiosity, nostalgia, or a desire to heal old wounds, rekindling a friendship from the past raises not only possibilities for renewal but also challenges that may go unconsidered.

As Thailand’s society becomes increasingly aware of mental health challenges, especially post-pandemic, many are grappling with the often unseen social costs of depression. Recent global research and lived experiences—like that described in Slate’s recent advice column about a decade-old friendship tested by one friend’s withdrawal and history of depression—highlight a growing dilemma: when a person’s struggle with a common illness like depression begins to erode the very bonds that once provided support and joy, what are friends to do? slate.com

A growing body of research reveals that chronic loneliness carries health risks as severe as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, underscoring the urgent need for adults—both in Thailand and worldwide—to prioritize building and maintaining friendships. While many think of catching up over Line chats or enjoying a meal alone as harmless routines, experts warn that ongoing social isolation can lead to serious health consequences, including increased stress, high blood pressure, and even premature death. As modern lifestyles and convenience technologies further reduce spontaneous social encounters, psychologists and relational health experts are offering practical advice for combating adult loneliness and creating meaningful, lasting connections.

A new, long-term study has upended the widespread assumption that romantic relationships are a primary buffer against depression, revealing that single individuals who enter into romantic partnerships are actually more likely to experience greater depressive symptoms. In contrast, forging new close friendships provides significant protection against depression, particularly for Thai adults navigating the complexities of modern life.

The research, recently published in the June 2025 issue of the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, tracks almost 3,000 participants from adolescence to adulthood at ages 15, 16, 28, and 38. Each time, participants were surveyed about their relationship statuses—whether they had a romantic partner or at least one close friend—and how depressed they felt in those periods (Psychology Today).

A new perspective from a British clinical psychologist is turning conventional wisdom on its head—what sounds like praise from a friend might actually be a subtle flag of a toxic relationship. This unexpected finding has triggered wide debate internationally and holds crucial lessons for Thai readers who are navigating the intricate boundaries of friendship, particularly in today’s social media-driven culture.

For many Thais, friendships are central to emotional wellbeing and are often regarded as lifelong bonds strengthened through shared experiences, respect, and support. Given the importance of “face” (renown and social reputation) in Thai society, understanding the lines between genuine encouragement and covert hostility is critical—especially when social interactions are increasingly migrating to online spaces, where sarcasm and subtle digs can fly under the radar.

Across the globe, a quiet epidemic is undermining public health—one that’s less visible than viral outbreaks yet perhaps just as deadly: loneliness, especially among men. Recent research and reports, including one from Psychology Today, highlight an alarming surge in male loneliness alongside a worrying decline in close male friendships, with direct consequences for psychological well-being and even long-term physical health (Psychology Today).

The significance of these findings resonates in Thailand, where traditional gender roles and rapid societal changes are altering the nature of male relationships. As modern work and lifestyle patterns keep people atomized, fewer men are reporting having close confidants or “best friends.” According to Psychology Today, the proportion of men in the United States with no close friends has soared fivefold in recent years—from 3% to 15%. In a society like Thailand’s, where community and family ties have long been pillars of support, this trend challenges cultural expectations and demands urgent attention.

A provocative new wave of research is challenging a long-standing assumption: that living without friends is synonymous with loneliness and emotional distress. In a world shaped by social media, “connection” is celebrated as vital for human happiness, yet a recent study published in the Canadian Review of Sociology reveals a far more nuanced reality—some people with few or no friends are, in fact, content, even thriving in their solitude. This finding, highlighted by Psychology Today and echoed in multiple news reports and scholarly discussions, encourages Thai readers to critically reconsider both personal and cultural beliefs about friendship and fulfillment (Psychology Today; Wiley; CTV News Atlantic).

Families around the world are rethinking the boundaries of parenthood by turning to a model rooted in both ancient tradition and modern necessity—raising children together with trusted friends as an alternative or complement to family support. A recent in-depth feature by The Atlantic shines a spotlight on this emerging trend, revealing the practical challenges and deep rewards of creating a ‘chosen village’ for child-rearing in today’s fragmented social landscape. The insights from this story reflect an international movement with profound implications, not only for Western societies but also for countries like Thailand, where urbanization and changing family structures are reshaping childcare arrangements and community life.

Recent research and commentary presented by NPR have cast fresh light on the delicate dynamics that can unravel friendships once children enter the picture. For many Thais and global readers alike, the news highlights a universal phenomenon: the arrival of children often disrupts social ties, leaving new parents and their child-free friends navigating unfamiliar emotional terrain. The insights provided resonate deeply in a society where close friendship networks are seen as essential support systems, and where evolving family and social structures in Thailand bring these issues into sharp relief (NPR).