The Benefits of Social

Support for happiness

• We humans are social creatures.

• People with more supportive families
and friends are generally happier and
more successful in life.
• We thrive in supportive
environments and we need other
human beings to reaffirm our
existence.
 Several studies have proven that being in supportive
relationships contributes to our psychological well-
being. It benefits us in the following ways:

• Gives us a sense of belonging: No one wants to be an

outcast. We thrive when we are accepted. Being
accepted into a group and spending time with people
helps keep loneliness at bay. We need to feel that we’re
not alone.
• Gives us a feeling of self-worth: Being accepted and
called a friend, reinforces the conviction that you are a
good person with value.
• Gives us a feeling of security: A supportive social
network is a source of advice, guidance and motivation.
We feel comfort in knowing that if we ever need
assistance, there are people who will come to our aid.
 In one study of 1400 students in Harvard,
called Very Happy People, results showed
that there was a 0.7 correlation between
social support and happiness.

Facts about Marriage is a cause of happiness

social support when you get support from your
and happiness partner.

Research suggests that happiness, along with

other behaviours is contagious. If you belong to a
social network that has a general attitude of
positivity, it will rub off on you. It is true that the
company we keep influences our moods and
behaviours.
 People who have one or more close
friendships tend to be happier.

People with few social ties are 2 to 3

Facts about social times more likely to suffer from
support and depression, as compared to those with
happiness stronger social bonds.

People with strong and healthy

relationships are less likely to feel
stressed by challenging situations.
The Quality of your Social
Network
• Social network is about the number of people you
interact with. You can count your social media
friends to this group. But a social network is not
the same as social support.

• Social Support has more to do with the quality of

your friends. If we want to be happy, building
stronger ties should be one of our priorities. We
need to cultivate relationships that go deeper
than just a simple Hi and Hello.
The Quality of your Social Network
• In 1985, an American survey suggested that people have an average
of 3 close friends. By the year 2006, it dropped to 2. 25% of the study
group couldn’t name one close friend that they can rely on without
doubt. It is no wonder that the World Health Organization reports 350
million cases of depression worldwide.

• We are more connected now, but the quality of our connections are
deteriorating.
The Kinds of Support You Need to be Happy

The Kinds of Support You Need

to be Happy

Emotional Tangible Appraisal Informational Companionship

Support Support Support Support Support
• Emotional Support – You need to be assured that you have people in your corner.
These people help nurture you and keep you moving forward. It involves love,
trust, care, intimacy, affection and encouragement. 
• Tangible Support – Are people you can call on for help on things like financial
assistance, babysitting the kids so you can watch a movie, or going with you to the
dentist or doctor. It cover 
• Appraisal Support – The people who love you enough to give you constructive
and honest feedback about yourself. This type of support cannot be expected from
mere acquaintances. It can only come from people who know you very well. 
• Informational Support – These are professional acquaintances such as lawyers,
mental health professionals, accountants, doctors, clergy and more. They can share
their expertise with you when you need it and help you solve problems. 
• Companionship Support – Activity friends who makes us feel socially accepted.
They could be your reading group or church group or any other group of people
you interact with socially.
 Health and
Health Care
The Healthy People Neighbourhood
2020 Social Education and Built
Determinants of Environment
Health topic area is
organized into 5
place-based Social and
domains: Economic Social Community
Determinants
Stability of Health Context

• Social Cohesion is a key issue in the Social and Community Context domain .
• Social cohesion refers to the strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity
among members of a community. One indicator of social cohesion is the amount of
social capital a community has.
• Social capital deals with shared group resources, like a friend-of-a-friend’s
knowledge of a job opening. Individuals have access to social capital through their
social networks, which are webs of social relationships.
• Social networks are sources of multiple forms of social support, such as emotional
support (e.g., encouragement after a setback) and instrumental support (e.g., a ride
to a doctor’s appointment).
Social
cohesion
Social capital
social
networks
social
relationships.
 Ageing population brings social
cohesion
Population aging is the 21st century's dominant
demographic phenomenon. Declining fertility,
increasing longevity, and the progression of
large-sized cohorts to the older ages are causing
elder shares to rise throughout the world. The
phenomenon of population aging, which is
unprecedented in human history, brings with it
sweeping changes in population needs and
capacities, with potentially significant
implications for employment, savings,
consumption, economic growth, asset values,
and fiscal balance.
The importance of studying social cohesion,
especially in light of an aging population
• The upcoming demographic shift affects the relationships among
generations and the way our society is functioning. We have to value
the contribution of all age groups in society. Therefore inclusion and
participation is necessary, especially in the shrinking regions. This
approach of a territorial focus is in the light of the referendum even
more important.
 What makes UAE a role model of
cohesion

• Country provides ideal climate for

multiculturalism and for individuals to find
happiness.
“No matter how many buildings, foundations,
schools and hospitals we build, or how many
bridges we raise, all these are material entities.
The real spirit behind the progress is the
human spirit, the able man with his intellect
and capabilities.”
Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Father of
the Nation