#SocialSupport

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 long-term study published in the journal Psychological Science has found little evidence supporting the widespread assumption that attending religious services leads to better mental health outcomes, raising questions about a relationship long thought to be positive and beneficial. The research, which analyzed nearly two decades of data from the British Household Panel Survey, revealed that frequent participation in organized religious gatherings had no clear association with improved mental well-being and, in certain instances, was followed by slightly worse symptoms.

A sweeping new analysis of decades of health research has found that the quality of our close relationships—more than our cholesterol levels, career achievements, or even genetic makeup—most powerfully determines whether we age well, maintain sharp minds, and live happy, resilient lives well into old age. These findings, drawing on landmark studies including the Harvard Study of Adult Development and recent international meta-analyses, suggest that nurturing emotionally supportive connections may be the single most effective “health habit” for thriving across the lifespan—outpacing even diet and physical activity (Psychology Today, published 1 June 2025).

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).

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 major new study from the University of Oxford finds that loneliness is not just a matter of feeling isolated—it actually hurts the health of the poor more than the wealthy, even when both groups spend similar amounts of time socializing. Surveying over 24,500 people across 20 European countries, researchers discovered that nearly half of low-income individuals reported feeling lonely, versus just 15% of their high-income peers. Most strikingly, these lonely, low-income individuals experienced far higher rates of pain, fatigue, and low mood—a so-called “defensive symptom cluster”—with social relationships providing the strongest relief for those at the economic margins Neuroscience News.

A recent study has revealed a shocking reality in the United States: one in four children—over 18 million young people—live with at least one parent who struggles with addiction. This figure, reported by Newser and drawing from the work of US public health researchers, underscores an increasingly urgent social and health crisis not only in America but also prompts reflection on the potential implications for Thailand.

This news is highly significant for Thai readers because it demonstrates how substance abuse extends its impact far beyond the individual, affecting millions of innocent children and shaping the next generation’s opportunities, mental health, and educational success. While the study is from the United States, drug and alcohol misuse is a challenge that transcends borders, and the dynamics of family suffering due to addiction have marked resonance in Thailand, where family cohesion is highly valued in Thai Buddhist culture.

A groundbreaking study published in BMC Geriatrics highlights the intricate web connecting physical exercise, frailty, depression, and loneliness among older adults—a topic of urgent relevance as Thailand’s population rapidly ages. This latest research finds that regular physical activity not only diminishes feelings of isolation but does so by mediating both physical frailty and depressive symptoms, offering hope for millions seeking to age with dignity and connection (BMC Geriatrics).

Loneliness is widely recognized as a severe public health issue among older adults. Defined as a distressing emotional state arising from a perceived lack of meaningful social bonds, chronic loneliness is linked to higher rates of physical and mental health problems, including hypertension, depression, and even elevated mortality (BMC Geriatrics). In the Thai context, where family and communal ties are traditionally considered bedrocks of wellbeing, the cracks showing in these supports due to urbanization, migration, and shifting social structures intensify the risks.

Adopting a consistent exercise routine remains a challenge for many people, but emerging research highlighted by leading health psychologists and fitness experts is offering fresh hope to those who struggle with motivation. Recent discourse at The New York Times Well Festival, backed by both global insights and new Thai research, points to three powerful secrets for transforming exercise from a chore into a joyful, life-enriching habit: embracing discomfort, prioritizing momentum, and finding community (nytimes.com).

A viral question on social media—do parents have fewer friends than people without kids?—has set off a nationwide debate and inspired fresh research into how parenthood impacts adult friendships. Recent reports and expert insights reveal that while parents don’t necessarily “lose” friends, the dynamics, quality, and expectations of adult relationships undergo substantial changes once children arrive. This growing body of research and real-life testimony, which has resonated with many Thai parents and would-be parents, underscores the broader social implications of Thailand’s shifting family structures and the urgent need for supportive communities in the face of urbanization and changing lifestyles (TODAY.com, The Cut, Mother.ly).

Recent research unveiled in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlights the profound impact that early-life adversity has on the brain’s structural development, specifically targeting white matter connectivity. White matter, often dubbed as the brain’s “communication highways,” forms the intricate network necessary for tasks like language processing and mental arithmetic. The study, spearheaded by experts from Mass General Brigham, involves an in-depth analysis of brain imaging data from over 9,000 children aged around 9.5 years, all part of the comprehensive Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study.