Family Relationships Affect Mortality Rate, Study Suggests

A new report shows that good family relationships lead to lower mortality rate. Postdoc researcher James Iveniuk said that this is possibly because the people you can not choose to be with are the ones who can have a great impact to your life.

According to Tech Times, in a study led by Iveniuk, the respondents aged 57 to 85 were tasked to list the people closest to them and indicate the nature of their relationships. It was found that the respondents who are very close to their listed family members have lesser chance of mortality in the next five years compared to those who are not that close to their family members. Moreover, the participants who have more relatives in their social network have lower mortality risk than those who mentioned few family members.

Meanwhile, it does not go the same for friendships. The study shows that family relationships are far more important than friendships, reports UPI. In fact, those who do not have a close relationship with their families are at greater risk of suffering heart-related illnesses.

Friendships are important, but according to Iveniuk, they don't greatly affect one's life.  We are free to choose them and they can easily move out of our lives if they don't get along well with us. That's not the case for families, for they are supposed to stay with us whatever life's circumstances may be. However, the study does not claim that our families are better for us at all times.  Iveniuk acknowledges the fact that some families are frustrating and even abusive.

Other factors linked to low risk of early death are joining social organizations, being married, having large networks of friends, and being closer to confidants. On the other hand, loneliness and time with confidants are among the less important factors. An expert suggests redefining family to expand its meaning beyond marriage and blood. The results of this study will be presented in the 111th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association.