Older adults who have little face-to-face contact with family and friends are at almost twice the risk of developing depression, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Share on Pinterest Lack of face-to-face contact with friends and family increases depression risk for older adults, says study.

What is more, the study found that regular contact with others over the telephone or through email does not offset the risk of depression associated with lack of in-person contact.

“Research has long supported the idea that strong social bonds strengthen people’s mental health. But this is the first look at the role that the type of communication with loved ones and friends plays in safeguarding people from depression,” notes lead author Dr. Alan Teo, assistant professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University.

“We found that all forms of socialization aren’t equal,” he adds. “Phone calls and digital communication, with friends or family members, do not have the same power as face-to-face social interactions in helping to stave off depression.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the US, around 1-5% of older adults in the general community have major depression, increasing to 11.5% among hospitalized older adults and 13.5% among those who need home-based health care.

Past research suggests lack of social interaction can be a key contributor to depression among seniors and can even lead to premature death.

For their study, Dr. Teo and colleagues set out to determine how different methods of social interaction with family and friends impact the risk for depression among older adults.