The cumulative influence of social advantages throughout one’s life — beginning with parental warmth in early childhood and extending through friendships, community engagement, and religious or spiritual participation in adulthood — appears to slow down the biological processes of ageing. Scientists have found that these enduring social benefits can effectively reset what are known as epigenetic clocks, which estimate a person’s biological age by examining chemical patterns on their DNA, specifically through a process called DNA methylation. In practical terms, this means that people who have experienced richer and more supportive social relationships across their lives tend to be biologically younger than their chronological years would suggest. Such findings reinforce the notion that the social bonds we cultivate may have profound, measurable effects not only on emotional well-being but on the very pace at which our bodies age.
This conclusion was drawn from research published in the October issue of Brain, Behavior and Immunity – Health, based on a detailed analysis of data from more than 2,100 adults who participated in the long-running Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. The research team, led by Professor Anthony Ong of Cornell University, examined how lifelong social support contributes to biological resilience. Their results showed that individuals who possessed higher levels of what they termed “cumulative social advantage” exhibited slower rates of epigenetic ageing and lower levels of chronic inflammation. The study presents compelling evidence that social connection operates as a biological buffer, reinforcing the body’s defences against the cellular wear and tear that accumulates with age.
At the heart of the study were two particular epigenetic clocks—known as GrimAge and DunedinPACE—which scientists consider among the most reliable predictors of morbidity and mortality. Ong and his colleagues found that participants with stronger, more stable networks of family, friends, and community ties had significantly younger biological profiles according to both measures. These results suggest that social connection can influence molecular processes linked to longevity, implying that the web of relationships people build over time can have a tangible, physical impact on the human body. In other words, nurturing relationships may not only enrich one’s emotional life but also alter biological systems in ways that slow ageing itself.
Ong described “cumulative social advantage” as a multidimensional concept encompassing the depth and diversity of one’s social experiences across life. The researchers identified four primary sources of social benefit: the warmth and emotional support received from parents during childhood; one’s sense of belonging within their community and neighbourhood; participation in religious or faith-based organisations; and continued emotional support from family and friends during adulthood. Together, these sources form a web of interconnected experiences that sustain psychological stability and physiological balance. They shape a person’s stress response, strengthen their immune system, and promote biological resilience — all of which are crucial in determining how rapidly or slowly the body ages.
The study also explored how sustained social advantage might influence the body’s regulatory systems — particularly those governing inflammation, gene expression, and hormonal balance. The findings showed that participants with higher social advantage had markedly lower levels of interleukin-6, a pro-inflammatory molecule that has been strongly associated with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Interestingly, there was no significant link between social advantage and short-term stress indicators such as cortisol or catecholamines. This suggests that the protective effects of social relationships may emerge from long-term physiological stability rather than temporary relief from stress. In essence, meaningful relationships appear to exert a steady, cumulative influence that preserves the body’s internal equilibrium.
Unlike earlier research that focused narrowly on specific social factors — such as whether a person is married or the number of friends they have — Ong’s study conceptualised “cumulative social advantage” as a layered and evolving phenomenon. It acknowledges that relationships are not static and that social capital grows, shifts, and deepens over time. Those who experience nurturing family bonds early in life are more likely to sustain and expand their social resources in adulthood, compounding their benefits across the decades. As Ong explained, “It’s not just about whether you have supportive friends now, but how your connections have grown and deepened over time. That accumulation shapes your health in ways we can measure biologically.” His words highlight a crucial point: social well-being is not built overnight but cultivated gradually through consistent emotional investment.
The broader implications of this research are both scientific and deeply human. It reframes ageing not merely as a biological inevitability governed by genetics or lifestyle choices but as a social process profoundly influenced by the quality and continuity of our relationships. A single act of friendship or a brief period of community involvement may not reverse cellular ageing. Still, the sustained presence of supportive relationships over many years can meaningfully slow the biological clock. Ong captures this idea with a vivid metaphor: “Think of social connections like a retirement account. The earlier you start investing and the more consistently you contribute, the greater your returns.” Those returns, the study reveals, are not merely emotional or psychological but biological, shaping the very tempo of ageing at the cellular level. In the end, to age well is to live in connection — for health and humanity are intertwined, inseparable, and mutually sustaining across the span of a lifetime.
More information: Anthony Ong et al, Cumulative social advantage is associated with slower epigenetic aging and lower systemic inflammation, Brain Behavior & Immunity – Health. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2025.101096
Journal information: Brain Behavior & Immunity – Health Provided by Cornell University
