12/02/2026
This new study looked at older twin adults and found that strong social connections are linked with better mental health. By involving twins, the research helps us understand how our genes and our relationships affect wellbeing as we age.
As TRA's Professor Jeff Craig explains: "Because twins share the same age and, in the case of identical twins, the same genes, researchers can compare twins who have different levels of social support — for example, one twin who is socially active and connected, and another who isn’t — to see how this affects mental health.
"The key finding was that older adults with closer friendships, stronger family ties, and more social support tended to have better mental health than those with fewer social connections. This suggests that it isn’t just genes or personality — the quality of our relationships really matters for emotional wellbeing.
"For the multiple-birth community, this research highlights that supportive relationships are important at every age. Twin families often have built-in social networks through siblings, cousins, and extended family — and this study reinforces that staying connected can be protective for mental health in later life.
"Strong social connections — whether through family, friends, community groups, or support networks — can make life feel more meaningful and help protect against feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression."
Using data from CHeBA’s Older Australian Twins Study (OATS), one of Australia’s most comprehensive ageing research projects, researchers analysed more than 560 twins aged 65 and over across six years to understand how social connections relate to mental and cognitive health.
