Mixed
An increase in the number of close friends is significantly associated with a 29% decrease in mortality risk among older men (aged 65+), whereas an increase in the overall social network index was not significantly associated with mortality in men under 65.
For older men, actively increasing the number of close friends can significantly reduce mortality risk. Focus on maintaining and nurturing close friendships rather than just broad social network size. Regular contact with close friends is a key protective factor.
In analyses of change in social network components restricted to older men, each categorical unit increase in number of close friends was significantly associated with a 29% decrease in risk of death. An increase in the overall social network index between 1988 and 1996 was not significantly associated with subsequent 2-year mortality.
Why this rating
Smaller sample size for the change analysis (n=17,769), shorter follow-up for the change outcome (2 years), and wide confidence intervals for some subgroups.
Source
Social Ties and Change in Social Ties in Relation to Subsequent Total and Cause-specific Mortality and Coronary Heart Disease Incidence in Men
Patricia Mona Eng et al. · American Journal of Epidemiology · 2002
DOI 10.1093/aje/155.8.700
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