#Socialconnections

A groundbreaking 85-year study from Harvard University has delivered a clear message about the real drivers behind happiness and long-term health: close, supportive relationships matter more than wealth, fame, or career achievement. Led by the director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, the research provides compelling evidence that social connections, not personal fortune, are the foundation of a fulfilling life (Big Think).

A landmark 85-year study from Harvard confirms a simple truth: close, supportive relationships matter most for long-term happiness and health—not money or fame. Led by the director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the research shows social connections form the foundation of a fulfilling life. This has particular relevance for Thai readers facing rising loneliness in fast-paced urban life and digital culture.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development, launched in 1938, is the longest-running examination of adult life. It started with two groups: Harvard sophomores from privilege and Boston teens from stressed families. Rather than focusing on problems, researchers asked what helps people thrive. Over decades, the study expanded to include spouses and children, and today data come from more than 2,000 participants across 724 families, spanning generations. The guiding question remains: if you could make one choice today to increase lifelong happiness and health, what would it be? The answer consistently points to investing in human relationships. Warm, strong connections are linked to longer, healthier lives.