The importance of connection for emotional wellbeing

Research suggests emotional wellbeing has very real benefits, including buffering the effects of stress and building stronger social support systems. In 2023, Meaningful Ageing Australia and McCrindle Research, a leader in tracking emerging issues and researching social trends, looked at this and developed the Living Longer, Thriving Together report.

This report looks at the importance of connection across generations and the relationship to their sources of meaning, purpose and connection. Regardless of life stage, 2 in 3 Australians (67%) strongly/somewhat agree a healthy community is one with strong intergenerational connections.

When survey participants considered what makes a flourishing community, they reported:

• 42% laughing often and having fun together
• 40% feeling seen, known and valued
• 27% walking the hard times of life together