Social connection for overall health

We live in an era characterized by increasing digitalization of work and services and by [hyperconnection](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/adolescenza/nativi-digitali-e-adolescenti-iperconnessi/) that moves relationships and leisure time online. Yet the most important connection remains the human one, preferably direct and in-person, because healthy sociality is a fundamental determinant of our [global health](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/en/glossary/global-health/). The Patrizio Paoletti Foundation invests in education for sociality across the lifespan: from childhood to the third and fourth ages.

We Are Made for Relationships

NeuroscienceThe human brain is one of the most complex and fascinating s... More shows that we are [naturally “wired” for interpersonal relationships](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/salute-mentale/la-nostra-natura-relazionale/). For instance, the discovery of **mirror neuronsMirror neurons represent one of the most important discoveri... More** demonstrates that we are born to observe, understand, and share others’ emotions. Effective and positive social relationships trigger the release of “well-being hormones” such as oxytocinOxytocin is a hormone produced in the brain, specifically in... More and serotoninSerotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a ne... More.

Relationships form the basis of **collaboration and cooperationThe silent force that holds human groups together Cooperatio... More** and also ensure the transmission of knowledge, traditions, affections, and gestures—a kind of cultural and familial DNA—that lies at the heart of **education**, contributing to the growth of individuals and communities and to human evolution.

High-quality relationships are a central source of our objective and perceived well-being. The WHO notes that sociality contributes to:

• protecting health throughout life
• reducing inflammation
• lowering the risk of serious diseases
• promoting mental healthWhat is meant by mental health? According to the World Healt... More
• preventing premature death
• strengthening social fabric
• making communities healthier, safer, and more prosperous.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development

One of the longest-running and most important scientific studies on sociality is the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which began in the late 1930s and continues today. The study monitored the behaviors of different people and generations, finding that **people with more satisfying social relationships tend to be not only happier but also longer-lived and healthier**, with lower chances of developing heart, metabolic, or bone diseases.

Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, emphasizes the centrality of quality relationships and even [marriage](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/salute-mentale/dallinnamoramento-allamore/), “the best predictor of a happy and healthy life,” in his statements to The Harvard Gazette.

The Importance of Friendship

While a stable and fulfilling romantic relationship is important, according to Waldinger, [friendshipEven though rudimentary forms of friendship are present in v... More networks](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/ricerca-e-cervello/neuroscienze-e-amicizia/) are also fundamental. They are linked, at a brain level, to the reward systemWith reward system, also called the gratification system, we... More and dopaminergic circuits because, even evolutionarily, **having friends helps survival**.

A Greek study from 2023 shows that friendship is a protective factor for our well-being and mental health, able to counteract anxietyAnxiety is an emotional response characterized by feelings o... More and depressionDepression is a disorder characterized by persistent sadness... More symptoms. Scientific research shows that having a friend at our side helps us complete complex cognitive tasks more easily and reduces blood pressure reactivity. Friendship is [a true treasure for the brain](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/en/?p=52994), especially during developmental stages, because it **supports brain maturation**, facilitating connections between emotional areas and the [prefrontal cortex](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/en/glossary/global-health/).

The Power of a Hug

A hug from a loved one is a real boon for our global healthWhat is the definition of health proposed by the WHO in 1948... More. Hugging is a [powerful form of communication](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/adolescenza/comunicazione-genitori-figli-istruzioni-per-luso/) that allows the sharing of positive emotions such as joy, gratitudeGratitude, a positive emotion linked to the recognition and ... More, and serenity, strengthening **social and emotional bonds**, transcending words, and benefiting our mental and physical health.

Hugs **lower blood pressure**, increase oxytocin levels, and **reduce stressWhat is stress? From a clinical perspective, stress is a phy... More and anxiety symptoms**. A study by Carnegie Mellon University on 404 people also showed that hugs **support our immune system**, protecting us from infections.

The power of hugging develops from our first breaths and is **fundamental for newborn well-being**. Scientific studies show that physical contact is vital for infants: it soothes crying, prevents hypothermia, regulates breathing and heart rate, and supports weight gain and growth.

Personalized Sociality: the “Otroversi”

The need for sociality, though universal, is not the same for everyone. Some people do not feel an inner drive to merge their identity with the group or to join clubs or associations. The American psychiatrist Rami Kaminski called them “otroversi”: neither introverted nor extroverted, characterized by independence and originality, capable of thinking outside the box, with strong [critical thinking](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/adolescenza/spirito-critico-giovani-risorsa-coltivare/), yet adaptable to different environments because they are not overly sensitive to labels or conventions.

For otroversi, cultivating authentic but selective relationships comes naturally, without heavy social masks, because self-esteemThe term self-esteem literally refers to the evaluation of o... More comes from inner coherence and fidelity to one’s own being, demonstrating that **healthy sociality is a personalized balance** tailored to different personalities.

Every Connection Matters

For our psychosocial well-being“Health is not a feeling, but a being there, a being in th... More, all relationships matter, even smaller ones. The central ones—family and friends—are essential, but less intimate everyday connections, such as [those at work](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/salute-mentale/design-architettonico-e-delle-relazioni/), are also relevant.

In 1973, sociologist Mark Granovetter proposed the “strength of weak ties” theory, based on a survey of 272 people, finding that seemingly minor, lighter, or occasional relationships were sometimes even more important than strong ones, e.g., for finding a job. These more contextual, less profound ties are not characterized by deep attachment but are effective social networks and valuable bridges to the world and the community.

The Dangers of Social Isolation

Just as science has demonstrated the benefits of full sociality, it has also shown that [social isolation](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/glossario/isolamento-sociale/) threatens our physical and mental health. The pain of [loneliness](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/glossario/solitudine-2/) is perceived by the brain as **actual physical pain**. The impact of social disconnection on our global health is similar to other risk factors, such as obesity, sedentariness, and tobacco use.

The American Psychological Association notes that loneliness and isolation:

• increase symptoms of depression and anxiety
• jeopardize executive functionsThe term 'executive functions' refers to a set of mental pro... More
• accelerate cognitive decline
• worsen cardiovascular health
• threaten the immune system
• impair sleep quality

An Epidemic of Loneliness

Despite our relational nature and increasing online connection opportunities, **loneliness is growing**. On June 30, 2025, the WHO Commission on Social Connection released the report From Loneliness to Social Connection, highlighting a dangerous epidemic: **1 in 6 people worldwide suffers from loneliness**, which is linked to around **100 deaths every hour**, totaling **over 871,000 deaths per year**.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, warns:

In this era of infinite ways to connect, more and more people find themselves isolated and lonely. Beyond the toll on individuals, families, and communities, if unaddressed, loneliness and social isolation will continue to cost society billions in healthcare, education, and employment.

The WHO notes that **loneliness and social isolation particularly affect young people, the elderly, and those in low- or middle-income countries**:

• 17–21% of youth aged 13–29 report feeling lonely, with higher rates among adolescents.
• About 24% of people in low-income countries report feeling lonely, double the rate in high-income countries (~11%).
• Social isolation affects up to 1 in 4 adolescents and 1 in 3 older adults.

Chido Mpemba, co-chair of the WHO Commission on Social Connection, comments:

Even in a digitally connected world, many young people feel lonely. While technology reshapes our lives, we must ensure it strengthens, not weakens, human connection. Our report shows that social connection must be integrated into all policies, from digital access to health, education, and employment.

The lack of good friendships and loneliness are also mapped by the report *Social Connections and Loneliness in OECD Countries*, which finds that 10% of people feel unsupported, 8% of respondents in 22 European OECD countries report having no close friends, and 6% in 23 OECD countries felt lonely most or all of the past four weeks. **Face-to-face interactions are also declining**: in 21 European OECD countries, daily in-person contact with friends and family has steadily decreased since 2006, while online contact has increased.

Causes of Loneliness

The WHO notes multiple causes of loneliness, including:

• health problems
• low income
• low educational attainment
• living alone
• inadequate community infrastructure and public policies
• digital technologies

The report *Social Connections and Loneliness in OECD Countries* highlights that deprivation of adequate social connections often accompanies **socioeconomic disadvantage**, living alone, and old age, while sociality is a protective factor, reducing predictable social and economic costs and contributing to financial well-being.

Patrizio Paoletti Foundation’s Commitment: Connecting and Growing Together

Together Beyond Isolation

The Patrizio Paoletti Foundation and NIVEA launched the project [“Together Beyond Isolation – An Integrated Model for Youth Mental Well-being”](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/adolescenza/nivea-connect-arriva-in-italia-per-combattere-lisolamento-sociale-al-fianco-di-fondazione-patrizio-paoletti/), designed to prevent and [counteract social isolation among youth](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/adolescenza/solitudine-e-isolamento-adolescenti-videolezione/) through a multidisciplinary approach combining [neuroscience](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/ricerca-e-cervello/modello-sferico-della-coscienza/), [psychology](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/ricerca-e-cervello/modello-sferico-della-coscienza/), [pedagogy](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/ricerca-e-cervello/modello-sferico-della-coscienza/), and [didactics](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/ricerca-e-cervello/modello-sferico-della-coscienza/).

The program includes targeted outreach in schools and communities, integrating original tools, protocols, and systems such as the [**Spherical Model of Consciousness**](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/ricerca-e-cervello/modello-sferico-della-coscienza/) and the **Practice of Silence**, designed by Patrizio Paoletti and internationally recognized.

Education at the Center

The Patrizio Paoletti Foundation fosters and promotes **full and rewarding relationality** as part of [global health](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/salute-mentale/salute-globale/), investing primarily in **education**, which, according to the WHO, is a protective factor against loneliness.

This includes initiatives in Italian schools, such as [“Prefigurare il Futuro”](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/educazione/allenare-le-risorse-interiori-a-scuola/), a **project dedicated to adolescents**, particularly at risk of loneliness, and the wider educational community, including teachers and parents, aimed at strengthening inner, emotional, and relational resources, with a focus on resilienceWhat is meant by resilience? According to the American Psych... More.

The foundation also invests in **educational excellence** at its AIS Assisi International School, integrating Montessori and Third Millennium Pedagogy, where children and adolescents are guided through enriched and innovative teaching inspired by [the latest neuroscientific discoveries](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/ricerca-e-cervello/il-futuro-delle-neuroscienze/).

Additionally, the foundation contributes to **ensuring quality education for children and adolescents worldwide** through international cooperation projects, such as those in [Kenya](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/educazione/fondazione-patrizio-paoletti-bambini-kenya/) and [Brazil](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/educazione/fondazione-patrizio-paoletti-disagio-bambini-brasile/), also enhancing teacher training through the [Teachers Outreach program](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/educazione/teachers-outreach-per-le-frontiere-educative/).

Solidarity through Sociality

For all ages, the Patrizio Paoletti Foundation promotes **concrete opportunities for socially supportive interactions**, combining the benefits of relationality with those of [volunteering](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/adolescenza/perche-il-volontariato-fa-bene-agli-adolescenti/), which also benefits the volunteers themselves, improving happinessHappiness represents an emotional state characterized by pos... More, well-being, and even longevity.

Recent initiatives include participation in the [Infiorata in Gallicano, Lazio](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/educazione/fondazione-patrizio-paoletti-infiorata-gallicano-nel-lazio/) and the [non-competitive relay of Run Rome The Marathon](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/adolescenza/fondazione-patrizio-paoletti-alla-run-rome-the-marathon-2025/), while preparing the new edition of the [Carovana del Cuore](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/educazione/carovana-del-cuore-per-il-benessere-degli-adolescenti/), a major awareness campaign across beaches and cities in Italy.

Full Sociality Across the Lifespan

The Patrizio Paoletti Foundation spreads **educational culture as a determinant of global health at all ages** and invests in specific projects to counter neurodegenerationWhat is meant by neurodegeneration? The term “neurodegener... More and improve the well-being and sociality of older adults affected by dementiaDementia is a medical condition characterized by the progres... More and their family caregivers, such as the [AIDA project](https://fondazionepatriziopaoletti.org/blog/neurodegenerazione/come-affrontare-lalzheimer-anche-con-larte/), which integrates museum, digital, and creative innovation to support the quality of life of people with Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease, also known as Alzheimer’s dementia,... More.