Socialising leads to longer life, but what about introverts?

15 October 2025

Dana G. Smith, writing for The Sydney Morning Herald;

People who have strong relationships generally live longer, and the unicorns known as “super-agers” — older adults who have the memory abilities of someone 20 years younger — tend to be especially outgoing. On the flipside, chronic loneliness raises the risk for cognitive decline and even early death.

Introverts — such as yours truly — are not hermits, they simply prefer more time by themselves. On occasion I’ve wondered if having only a small number of acquaintances might impact my health and well-being, considering long life and good health is associated with having numerous social contacts. But surely if introverts are content then there cannot be any adverse health outcomes?

Loneliness is of course a different matter, and can afflict anyone, introvert or extrovert. I suspect extroverts might struggle more here than introverts though. An out-going person who is lonely may well see their health suffer as a result.

But I sometimes wonder about introverts residing in aged-care facilities. What awareness do the staff have of introversion? Are introvert residents coerced into participating in social activities because they are deemed “too quiet”, “too self-isolating”, for their own good? It seems to me forced socialisation would be, more than anything, detrimental to their well-being.

I think caveats need to be included with research that claims strong relationships are essential for a long healthy life. That might be the case for some people, but not everyone.