The Institute for Successful Longevity co-sponsored the Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy’s inaugural Dempsey Barron Endowed Lecture by Karen Fingerman, Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences and Co-Director of the Aging and Longevity Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

Fingerman spoke on “The Implications of the Social World for Aging Outcomes: The Role of Weak Ties.” If you missed her February 4 lecture, you can catch it here.

The extensive literature on social integration shows that older adults who interact with a wide array of social partners live longer with better cognitive, physical and emotional health. The benefits of close and intimate social partners (e.g., spouse, child, friend) have been widely investigated, but we know little about less close relationships (e.g., neighbor, religious community, acquaintance, service provider). Fingerman's talk describes multiple ways in which "weaker" ties contribute to well-being.