Social Connectedness Plays an Important Role in Youth Mental Health

Karina Grigorian´s thesis consists of four studies investigating the link between common mental health problems – psychosomatic complaints, depression, and anxiety – and different aspects of social connectedness, such as social support, belonging, and loneliness.

Her findings offer valuable insights into the immediate and lasting impacts of social connectedness throughout adolescence and young adulthood. They show how important social bonds are, especially during the transition from adolescence to adulthood, a life period marked by an increased risk of both mental health problems and involuntary loneliness.

Various aspects of social cconnectedness interact

High social connectedness can act as a protective factor, reducing mental health problems, while low social connectedness not only contributes to current mental health challenges but may also have long-term consequences. Furthermore, the thesis shows that different aspects of social connectedness – such as belonging and loneliness – do not exist in isolation. Rather, these aspects can interact to influence mental health both independently and collectively.

“Overall, these findings highlight the important role that social connectedness plays in youth mental health, particularly during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood,” says Karina Grigorian. She defended her thesis Social connectedness and mental health problems in young people – Findings from a Swedish cohort at Stockholm University on April 11.

The thesis is based on data from the Futura01 project, a longitudinal study tracking a Swedish national cohort of young people who attended ninth grade in the spring semester of 2017, with the vast majority born in 2001. Grigorian´s research draws on repeated survey data from the Futura01 project and linked register information. By analyzing these data, the studies offer a comprehensive understanding of how different aspects of social connectedness impact youth mental health across adolescence and young adulthood.

Implications and Recommendations

She believes that the results of this thesis can inform the development of strategies to address youth mental health problems. Given that social connectedness is a complex and multifaceted construct, especially in adolescents and young adults, it is essential that these interventions go beyond the individual level, Grigorian says.

Furthermore, various indicators of social connectedness should be considered, according to Grigorian. Not only do various indicators of social connectedness affect individuals independently, they also interact to create a combined impact, she points out.

“This highlights the need to view social connectedness as a dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon, as well as a universal and modifiable social determinant of health. As such, targeted interventions should be designed to address these complexities and take into account the broader social contexts in which young people are embedded,” Grigorian says.

Suggestions for Further Research

While this thesis sheds light on the critical role of social connectedness, it also opens avenues for further research. According to Grigorian, future studies could explore the various dimensions of social connectedness – such as frequency, intensity, and duration – and how they impact mental health during adolescence and young adulthood. Additionally, Grigorian believes that different aspects of social assets and deficits in these ages should be explored, including various types of belonging, loneliness, and sources of social support.

Furthermore, she thinks that future research should delve into the factors that contribute to high and low social connectedness in young people – for example, what causes loneliness during these developmental periods.

Investigating the role of life transitions, digital communication, sociodemographic differences as well as the characteristics of neighborhoods, schools, and broader social environments in shaping social connectedness can provide valuable insights, according to Grigorian.

"Longitudinal studies that track social connectedness and mental health over extended periods would also be essential, in order to better understand their dynamic relationship, as well as the impact that low and high social connectedness at these ages can have on later life health outcomes.,” she  says.

What are you going to do now when you’re finished with your PhD studies?

“I hope to continue my work in public health research, applying my knowledge and contributing to insights that help improve population health.”

Håkan Soold

Facts

Karina Grigorian came to Stockholm in 2020 for a research visit to the Center for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, a knowledge centre for public health issues within Stockholm County Council. She began her PhD at the Department of Public Health Sciences in January 2021.
Grigorian´s thesis Social connectedness and mental health problems in young people – Findings from a Swedish cohortconsists of the following studies:

Prospective associations between psychosomatic complaints in adolescence and depression and anxiety symptoms in young adulthood: A Swedish national cohort study (SSM Public Health, 2023).

Parenting Practices and Psychosomatic Complaints Among Swedish Adolescents (International Journal of Public Health, 2023).

Loneliness, belonging and psychosomatic complaints across late adolescence and young adulthood: a Swedish cohort study (BMC Public Health, 2024).

Loneliness and subsequent depression and anxiety in emerging adults: Findings from a Swedish cohort study (Manuscript submitted to scientific journal).