Good quality friendships = good mental health.

 In an international survey of 204907 adults across 22 countries taken from a project The Global Flourishing Study, has just published their results in the Journal of Mental Health. They make rather sobering reading. We in the Uk don’t come out particularly well on the - friendship index, but not as badly as Japan - that was bottom of the 22 countries. Participants in the survey were asked to rank their friendships on a scale of zero to ten. What was discovered was the strong correlation between those people who had - good or excellent relationships did much better regarding their mental health. It was as if these relationships help - protected the individual from the vicissitudes of life. They acted as a sort of - buffer. In addition if the relationship were - of long standing the individual was able to exchange their individual experiences with each other. This was particularly salient as we get older - when parents start dying, or dealing with divorce or illness. These shared collective memories are a necessary and important part of growing older. Those unlucky to not have positive friendships - are at a serious disadvantage psychologically and physically. So look after your friendships as they will help you - live longer and healthier.