Relational diversity in social portfolios predicts well-being

Hanne K. Collins, Serena F. Hagerty, Jordi Quoidbach, Michael I. Norton and Alison Wood Brooks
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Hanne K. Collins: a Harvard Business School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02163;
Serena F. Hagerty: b Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903;
Jordi Quoidbach: c Department of People Management and Organisation, Esade Business School, Ramon Llull University, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Michael I. Norton: a Harvard Business School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02163;
Alison Wood Brooks: a Harvard Business School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02163;

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2022, vol. 119, issue 43, e2120668119

Abstract: The link between social connection and well-being is well-documented: Happier people tend to spend more time with others, and people experience greater happiness while socially engaged. But, over and above people’s total amount of social interaction, which set of interactions—with which types of relationship partners (e.g., family members, close friends, acquaintances, strangers), and how many interactions with each type—is most predictive of well-being? Building on research showing the benefits of variety—in activities, experiences, and emotions—for well-being, we document a link between the relational diversity of people’s social portfolios and well-being. Assessing the social interactions and happiness of over 50,000 people reveals that interacting with a more diverse set of relationship types predicts higher well-being.

Keywords: well-being; relationships; diversity; conversation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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