social needs essay

22 Social Needs Examples (aka Love and Belonging Needs)

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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Social needs are the third tier of needs on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. They refer to the need that humans have for social interaction and community engagement in order to thrive.

Social needs are also referred to as ‘love and belonging needs’. Examples include love, intimacy, friendship, family, feedback, acceptance, and belonging.

Once people’s physiological and safety needs are met, Maslow believes people need to have their social needs covered. By socializing, humans can feel more fulfilled and connected to their ‘tribe’.

Examples of Social Needs

People need to feel loved for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it helps to boost self-esteem and confidence. When we feel loved, we feel valued and worth spending time with.

This sense of self-worth is essential for maintaining healthy relationships, both personal and professional.

Secondly, feeling loved helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Knowing that someone cares about us and wants to be with us can help to calm our nerves and ease our worries.

Thirdly, feeling loved simply makes us happy. When we are surrounded by people who love and care for us, we can’t help but smile and enjoy life just a little bit more. So why do people need to feel loved? Because it helps them to be their best selves.

2. Belonging

People need to feel a sense of belonging for similar reasons as they need to feel love. First and foremost, it helps with self-esteem and confidence. When we feel like we belong somewhere, we feel valued and worth spending time with.

Examples of things that help give us a sense of belonging include our families, friends, co-workers, and any clubs or organizations we are a part of. For example, children often feel a sense of belonging in their classroom. They know everyone in the class and feel a sense of togetherness with them.

Team sports like football and baseball similarly give that sense of belonging. In fact, even fans can get that sense that they belong to the crowd.

3. Intimacy

Intimacy is a close, emotional connection with another person. It is often used in reference to romantic relationships but can also refer to any close, platonic relationship.

When we feel close to someone and they make us feel special, we can’t help but feel good about ourselves.

Physical intimacy, such as hugs and hand-holding also releases oxytocin, which is known as the ‘cuddle hormone’. Oxytocin has a number of benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, increasing self-esteem, and making us feel happy.

4. Friendship

Friendship is a close, platonic relationship between two people. Friendships are often built on shared interests and experiences.

Having friends is important for a number of reasons. First, friends provide us with support, both emotional and practical. They are there for us when we need them and help us to get through tough times.

Second, friends help us to feel connected and a part of something. When we have friends, we feel like we belong somewhere and that we are valued. Being a part of a close friendship group can give people social confidence and a sense of self-worth.

Third, friends help us to have fun and enjoy life. They are the people we can relax with and have a good time.

Family is the closest social group we will have in our lives. Families are made up of blood relatives, such as parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. But they may also be adopted families who have taken someone in as their own.

For most people, their family is the first social group they are a part of. Families provide us with love, support, and a sense of belonging. They are the people we can always count on, no matter what.

Families can also help to shape our personalities and who we become as adults. For example, if we have a close, loving family, we are more likely to be trusting and confident. If our family is more distant or dysfunctional, we may have difficulty forming close relationships with others.

6. Community

A community is a group of people who share a common interest or live in the same area. Traditionally, we think of a community as a group of people who live in the same area, such as a village. However, in today’s globalized culture, they can be large, like a group of people who share the same subculture or hobby.

Being a part of a community can provide us with a sense of belonging to a group of people who share something in common with us. It can also give us a sense of purpose and help us to feel like we are part of something larger than ourselves.

Communities can also provide support, both practical and emotional. For example, if we are going through a tough time financially, our church community might pitch in to help out.

7. Receiving Feedback

Receiving feedback, whether it is positive or negative, is an important benefit of social interaction. By interacting with others, we can look for cues about what hasn’t been effective and what works well in our behaviors.

Similarly, people can give us constructive feedback about our strengths and weaknesses. We can then work on our weaknesses or rely more on our strengths in life.

Feedback can also help us to feel more connected to others. When we feel like we are being heard and understood, we can’t help but feel good about ourselves.

8. Acceptance

We need to feel accepted by others to feel good about ourselves. Acceptance is when someone understands and values us for who we are.

When we feel accepted, we feel like we belong somewhere and that we are valued. This sense of belonging can be very important for our mental health and well-being.

Acceptance can also help us to feel more confident and secure in ourselves. We are more likely to take risks and be creative when we feel accepted by others.

9. Clan or Tribe Membership

A clan is a close-knit group of people who have a common ancestor. A tribe is a larger social group that is made up of several clans.

In many cultures, clan or tribe membership is very important. It can provide us with a sense of identity and belonging. It can also give us a sense of security and protection.

Clan or tribe membership can also help us to feel connected to our heritage and culture. This connection can give us a sense of pride and belonging.

Examples of How Humans Meet Their Social Needs

10. gang membership.

Young people who don’t get their social needs met in any other way (such as at home or school) may turn to gangs for a sense of love and belonging. Gangs can provide a sense of family and community that is often lacking in other areas of their life.

In order to belong to a gang, members typically have to go through a initiation process. This can involve proving their loyalty to the gang by committing an act of violence or crime. Once they are in, they often have to follow certain rules, such as not being allowed to quit.

Gang members often have a sense of pride in their membership. They might get tattoos of the gang’s symbols and often dress in a certain way to identify themselves as members.

Once you’re a member of a gang, a youth may receive the group protections and satisfaction of belonging to a tight-knit social group that they were craving.

11. Attending Sporting Events

Going to a football game with the family is another example of how the family can bond. The energy of the atmosphere can create a tremendous sense of excitement. When all the fans cheer at the same time, or do the wave, people will feel a connection with the other 70,000 fans in attendance.

It is also an opportunity for the parents to teach their children about the game. Most sports have a lot of rules and sometimes those rules can be a bit complicated. When a parent explains the rules to their child it makes them feel important and helps them fulfill their parental obligations .

Children also benefit. Not only do they learn something about the game, but more importantly, it helps them see how much their parents care about them. Children are more perceptive of these dynamics than we think.

12. Political Affiliations

Political parties usually consist of a lot of people. These parties often have frequent gatherings that include fund-raising events and rallies. When attending these events, the individual members can get a tremendous sense of being part of something larger.

There will be opportunities to interact with others, to share opinions and ideals. When others agree and affirm our views, we feel closer to them. The psychological distance between two people that started out as strangers quickly narrows.

There also may be times of crisis, such as a scandal or a drop in the polls. A crisis is a very emotionally-charged moment and when people are experiencing the same emotions, they feel more connected to each other.

13. Marriage and Family Counseling

Unfortunately, sometimes a family can have difficulties. There can be many causes of marital discord, and that discord will affect the whole family. Lots of arguments creates a cold feeling in the home and family members can feel alone and isolated.

For this reason, many families seek counseling. A trained therapist can have many years of experience listening to the problems that families face. Over time they will have acquired valuable insights into family dynamics and can offer an objective point of view.

If family members are committed and are willing to express their inner-most thoughts, an experienced therapist can help. Therapy sessions are opportunities for family members to rebuild the strong emotional bonds that brought them together at one time.

BIRG stands for “Basking in Reflected Glory.” It basically means experiencing joy and pride in the accomplishment of another person. The closer that person is to us, the stronger the feeling.

For example, having a close friend that has just won a tennis championship can make us feel great. Even though we did not win anything, we can still feel a sense of pride because of our connection with the champion.  

However, if a complete stranger wins, there is not much in it for us. We don’t benefit because we have no deep, personal connection to them.

15. Employee Engagement Activities

Employment offers many opportunities to fulfill one’s need to establish friendships and develop a sense of belonging. For example, HR departments organize company events on a regular basis. These include birthday parties, outdoor picnics, departmental sporting events, and team-building activities.

These activities help employees bond with each other and foster the development of a cohesive organizational culture. Thus, satisfying one aspect of Maslow’s level three.

Over time, people will feel more committed to the company. This commitment creates a strong sense of belonging. They become fully committed to the company and sometimes even sacrifice aspects of their personal lives. Some employees may even incorporate the brand’s image into their self-identify.

16. The Super Fan

In the world of collegiate and professional sports, it is common for fans to buy shirts and jerseys that represent their favorite team. A lot of fans might also have memorabilia at home, such as a framed jersey, a helmet, or a team poster.

A super fan takes this to another level. They are extremely enthusiastic and will engage in numerous behaviors that highlight their loyalty to the team. This can include attending every home game for years and even decades.

Going to a game involves wearing several items of clothing related to the team, such as special pants, hair, and shoes. They might even get a tattoo of the team logo. These are examples of behavior that help a fan create a sense of belonging with the team.  

17. Facebook and other Social Media

Facebook started out with the explicit goal of creating an online community. The goal was to offer people a place where they could interact with each other, share photos and videos, and establish personal connections with people no matter where they were.

As of April 2022, the platform had nearly 3 billion users. It is the most popular example of social media on the internet and one of the world’s most profitable companies.  

The main reason it has been such a huge success is because it taps into one of the most fundamental and enduring needs that people have: to form an emotional connection with others.

18. Nationalism

Citizens of most countries have a strong sense of pride. Even when their country is poor and rife with political corruption, people still feel devoted. Nationalism is when individuals of a given nation care a great deal about their country and their national identity.

One example of nationalism occurs during holidays that signify the country’s date of independence. The celebration can involve a lot of flag waving and singing of the national anthem. Typical meals are prepared and common phrases exalting the country can be heard throughout the day; for example, “Viva la Peru.”

Sometimes nationalism can be so extreme that the citizens believe their country is superior to other nations and its culture and interests should be promoted over all others.

Nationalism is an excellent example of belonging in Maslow’s hierarchy.

Read Also: 14 Types of Nationalism

19. Ethnic Identity

Ethnic identity refers to one’s close identification with their cultural background. The characteristics of that culture are internalized into the person’s self-identity and is well-ingrained in their consciousness.

There is often a great sense of pride in their ethnicity and an admiration for key elements of the culture. Some examples include extolling the values of the ethnicity, wearing traditional clothes and preparing traditional meals.

Examples of ethnic identity in the U.S. are when people state that they are: African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, or Italian-American.

When people have a strong sense of their ethnic identity it is a way to satisfy the need of belonging. Identifying with a larger cultural group makes people feel included and have a social identify that they can be proud of.

20. Camping

Spending time in the great outdoors with the family is just one way of bringing the family together. This is especially important in modern times when everyone is busy pursuing individual interests and staring at an electronic device.

Parents are often consumed with their careers and may only see their spouse and children for a few hours each day during the week. That time is usually absorbed by carrying out household tasks such as paying bills, preparing meals, or cleaning.

However, taking the family on a camping trip means that everyone will be with each other nearly every second of the day. Doing activities together, like setting up the tent or going fishing, gives everyone the same goal and helps create a bonding moment. Camping is a great way to meet what Maslow referred to as love and belonging needs.

Social Needs in Popular Culture and Media

21. forrest gump.

Movies and literary works often contain storylines that are consistent with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Writers will incorporate conflicts or relationships that tap into the most basic and essential needs of human beings, such as the need to survive or be loved.

The movie Forrest Gump is an excellent example of a story that shows how friendship can play a significant role in our lives. Throughout the movie, the main character meets a new friend, and then that person goes on to impact him in a very meaningful way.

There are countless examples of movies that convey how love, friendship and a sense of belonging are central to happiness.

22. Beer Commercials

Advertisers are well-versed in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Just about every commercial on television can be analyzed in terms of his theory. Watching the stream of Super Bowl ads is like taking an introductory course in the psychology of marketing.

For example, beer commercials almost always contain scenes of friends gathered together and having a great time. There are lots of smiling faces and everyone likes each other.

It’s almost as if the ad is trying to tell you that if you drink their beer, you will have lots of friends. You will be part of a happy and cheerful group that get together and enjoy life to its fullest.

Definition of Social Needs

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs also includes a component about social needs. Level three in his theory is labeled Love and Belonging . At this level, after lower order needs are met, people want to have connections with others.

Those connections can be with family and friends, or coworkers and fellow members of the same club or organization. When people are in a group, they often feel a sense of value as a result of positive interactions. Being liked by others makes us feel good.

Maslow also included sexual intimacy in this level. The intense feeling of closeness with a loved one that intimacy brings is also important to people’s psychological health and well-being.

Other Needs on Maslow’s Hierarchy

Maslow’s hierarchy includes the following needs, from most to least important:

• Physiological needs – these are the basic needs for survival and include air, food, water, shelter, clothing, and reproduction. They need to be met before an individual can focus on higher-level needs.
• Safety needs – once physiological needs are met, individuals seek to feel safe and secure. This may include financial security, personal safety, and health.
• Social needs (Love and belonging) – after meeting basic needs and feeling safe, individuals need to feel a sense of love, belonging, and connection. This may come from family, friends, romantic relationships, and a sense of community.
• Esteem needs (self-esteem and esteem from others) – once individuals feel they belong, they need to feel good about themselves and have the respect of others. This can include self-esteem, achievement, and recognition.
• Self-actualization needs – this is the final level of need and is about self-fulfillment and self-actualization. This may include creativity, morality, problem-solving, and a sense of purpose.

People are social animals. Since the beginning of time, we have felt a need to be with others. Interacting with other people, sharing joyful moments and enduring heartbreaking difficulties helps establish a strong emotional bond between people.

In modern times, these needs manifest themselves in numerous ways. People join social clubs and political parties, and attend sporting events along with thousands of others.

Human beings will even try to establish friendships with people on the other side of the planet for which they will likely never meet in person. Having close-knit bonds with others is so important that when a relationship is at risk, people will hire trained professionals to help them rebuild that connection.

It seems that Maslow was spot-on when he identified love and belonging needs as a critically important need that all human beings strive to meet.

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review,50(4) , 370-96.

Benjamin, P. and Looby, J. (1998), Defining the Nature of Spirituality in the Context of Maslow’s and Rogers’s Theories. Counseling and Values, 42 : 92-100. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007X.1998.tb00414.x

Benson, S.G. and Dundis, S.P. (2003), Understanding and motivating health care employees: integrating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, training and technology. Journal of Nursing Management, 11 : 315-320. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2834.2003.00409.x

Cialdini, R. B., Borden, R. J., Thorne, A., Walker, M. R., Freeman, S., & Sloan, L. R. (1976). Basking in reflected glory: Three (football) field studies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34 (3), 366–375. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.34.3.366

Davies, J. C. (1991). Maslow and Theory of Political Development: Getting to Fundamentals. Political Psychology , 12 (3), 389–420. https://doi.org/10.2307/3791750

Fiedhawatie, S. D. (2013). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Manifested by the Main Character in the Forrest Gump the Movie. Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Universitas Brawijaya , 1 (5).

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Number Games for Kids (Free and Easy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Word Games for Kids (Free and Easy)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 25 Outdoor Games for Kids
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 50 Incentives to Give to Students

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Social needs are a human right

Being Sure of Each Other: An Essay on Social Rights and Freedoms

• By Kimberley Brownlee
• July 10 th 2020

In April 2020, an ER physician in Toronto, Ari Greenwald, started an online petition to bring tablets and phones to his patients in hospital, because hospitals had imposed strict No Visitor rules to limit the spread of COVID-19. Greenwald said that, “As challenging as this COVID-era of healthcare is for us all, the hardest part of patient care these days is watching patients suffer alone without family and friends at their bedside.”

No visitor rules do more than deny patients access to family members’ hugs and companionship. They also deny those families a chance to care for their loved one while they’re in the hospital. Family members can’t hold their hand while they are dying or say good-bye in person and ease their own grief by knowing that they supported their loved one at the end. In lucky cases where the patient has a device in hospital, families get to say good-bye in some fashion online. But, many other families learn through a phone call from a healthcare worker that their loved one has died, without them.

No visitor rules, social distancing, self-isolation, and quarantine are agonizing for us because we are deeply social creatures. Our social needs may even be more important than our needs for food, water, and shelter. Social needs are a human right.

We are so deeply social that meeting our social needs – for decent human contact, acceptance within a community, companionship, loving relations, and interdependent care – is more important than meeting almost every other need we have. The exceptions are our basic need to survive – which the social-distancing orders prioritize – and our need for clean, breathable air. (Hold your nose and close your mouth for two minutes to see if you disagree with how fundamental  that  need is.)

The thought that our social needs are more important than our needs for food, water, shelter, health, education, free movement, free expression, due process, and the rest, is a revisionary one gaining traction amongst social psychologists, neuroscientists, and some philosophers, which implies that Abraham Maslow’s famous  pyramid  of the hierarchy of needs is incorrectly ordered.

Maslow put on the bottom, most basic level of his pyramid our physiological needs for food, water, and sleep, and then, on the second level, our safety needs for physical shelter, bodily security, and health. He called these our  basic needs.  Above them come our so-called  psychological needs  which include, on the third level, our needs for belonging, intimate relations, friendships, and love, and, on the fourth level, our needs for esteem and a sense of accomplishment. Finally, at the top of this five-level pyramid, sit our needs for self-actualization to realise our full potential in creative endeavour.

There are several reasons why Maslow’s ranking of needs is mis-ordered and our social needs really sit on the bottom, most basic level.

Humans necessarily depend on each other to access the goods that Maslow took to be most basic. We cannot securely access food, water, a safe place to rest, health care, or bodily security without other people’s continued support. This is true most obviously when we’re babies and children.

But it is not only in childhood that we depend on each other to meet our needs. Throughout our lives, we face innumerable challenges that we cannot weather well without help, including giving birth, surviving illness, recovering from injury, facing death, grieving, withstanding loss of employment, returning from prison or exile, acquiring education, expressing ourselves, and cultivating spirituality and faith.

But our social needs are also important in their own right. Even when we’re healthy, able adults, we are defined by our sociality. Our brains are hardwired to think about social connections when we don’t task them to think of other things: this is our default neural network. And, we typically choose to spend much of the time that we’re awake with other people.

A sceptic might note that (some) people can thrive perfectly well without human contact. There are some real-life Robinson Crusoes after all, such as Richard Proenneke, a former military carpenter, mechanic and self-taught naturalist, who lived alone at Twin Lakes, Alaska, for close to 30 years.

But, Robinson Crusoes are the exceptional ones, and their ability to survive or thrive in isolation does not change the fact that most of us need persistent, supportive social contact and care.

If our social needs are so fundamental, basic, and universal, they lead us necessarily into the territory of human rights. Human rights protect the brute moral minimum, i.e. the least that we owe each other as human beings. We must have, at the very least, a human right against social deprivation, or rather a right to have access to decent human contact, to try to form and keep good social connections, to be protected in our connections once they exist, to be put into supportive connections when we’re unable to make social overtures, and to have the social resources we need to sustain the people we care about.

Social deprivation doesn’t occur just in institutions of forced segregation like solitary confinement, isolated immigration detention, or quarantine. We can also be socially deprived when we’re surrounded by people who treat us brutally. This is the reality in many prisons where violence, sexual assaults, harassment, and intimidation define inmates’ lives.

Heartbreakingly, home can also be sites of social deprivation when it’s defined by abuse. The spike in domestic abuse reports in many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic is evidence of a tragedy that governments anticipated when they closed the schools. Many people – including many children – are leading socially deprived lives.

Despite the social horrors that many people are suffering, the time of the pandemic is also witness to a remarkable outpouring of social overtures and social contributions. News stories highlight the famous hotel that made its secret cookie recipe public, and the children’s artists who are offering free lessons online. There are the shoe companies and spectacles companies providing free goods to healthcare workers, and the restaurants that are running soup kitchens (delivered to people’s houses). There are the families sharing supplies and shopping for each other, the theatres posting concerts, plays, and musicals free online, and the audiobooks seller making the children’s section freely available while schools are closed. There are the people in lockdown lowering baskets of bread from their apartment balconies for the homeless people below, as well as the actors and sports stars who are using their fame to get more personal protective equipment to healthcare workers. Wealthy people are making substantial donations; hotels are offering rooms free of charge to commute-exhausted healthcare workers and newly arrived immigrants; and thousands of willing volunteers want to help. There are the evening cheers for healthcare workers heard around the world and the countries donating PPE to other countries that are in greater need.

The full effects of this season of social chaos are yet to be seen. We have made a necessary choice to prioritize human life and health over sociality. But, we are paying a high price for it – an often invisibly high price – which we must not ignore. We are fundamentally social beings. Tablets in hospitals, face-to-face conversations, and hugs are as vital as food and water for our survival and wellbeing.

Featured Image Credit: by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Kimberley Brownlee is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick. Her current research focuses on sociability, social rights, loneliness, and freedom of association. She is the author of  Conscience and Conviction: The Case for Civil Disobedience  (Oxford 2012), co-editor of  Disability and Disadvantage  (Oxford 2009, with Adam Cureton), and co-editor of  The Blackwell Companion to Applied Philosophy.

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[…] Source: Social needs are a human right | OUPblog […]

Being sure for each other and your current topics on social studies give an deepest and widened understanding of social fabric. The notion of we itself reflect a social interaction where we all are interdependent on each other for fulfilling our need. Need acts as catalyst for cultivating emotion between you and I. Needs socialize our ties.

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Addressing Social Needs in Health Care Settings: Evidence, Challenges, and Opportunities for Public Health

Matthew w. kreuter.

The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis

Tess Thompson

Amy mcqueen.

School of Medicine and The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis

Rachel Garg

There has been an explosion of interest in addressing social needs in healthcare settings. Some efforts, such as screening patients for social needs and connecting them to needed social services, are already in widespread practice. These and other major investments from the healthcare sector hint at the potential for new multi-sector collaborations to address social determinants of health and individual social needs. This paper discusses the rapidly growing body of research describing the links between social needs and health and the impact of social needs interventions on health improvement, utilization and costs. We also identify gaps in the knowledge base and implementation challenges to be overcome. We conclude that complementary partnerships among the healthcare, public health and social services sectors can build upon current momentum to strengthen social safety net policies, modernize social services, and reshape resource allocation to address social determinants of health.

Introduction

Efforts to address social determinants of health (SDOH), long a priority for public health professionals ( 55 ), have been re-energized by recent attention and investment from the healthcare sector, spurred by a range of opportunities, initiatives and incentives, including the Affordable Care Act ( 102 ). This paper reviews the rich and rapidly growing body of research driving the efforts to address SDOH in clinical and community settings, and identifies key gaps and promising future directions for new scientific approaches to addressing social needs in health care.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) oft-cited definition of SDOH includes political, social and economic forces that affect health by shaping the conditions in which people live ( 112 ). These determinants are usually viewed as system- and policy-level influences that affect everyone in a society and can either drive or reduce inequities in housing, education, jobs, pay and other social institutions and opportunities. At a person-level, the downstream consequences of SDOH for people who have been systematically disadvantaged include unmet social needs, such as unstable, unaffordable and/or low-quality housing, food insecurity, unemployment, lack of quality, affordable child care, or needing utility payment assistance.

The WHO’s landmark “Closing the Gap” report (2008)( 112 ) outlined three broad actions to address social determinants of health and achieve health equity: (1) improve daily living conditions; (2) tackle inequitable distribution of power, money and resources; and (3) measure and understand SDOH and assess the impact of action. The report’s conceptual framework ( 97 ) casts healthcare systems as an intermediary determinant, and suggests that through intersectoral actions like food and transportation assistance, healthcare can help address inequities in “material circumstances” such as housing, financial means to buy food and clothing, and neighborhood conditions and safety.

The healthcare sector’s recent involvement in SDOH has followed the WHO conceptual model and recommended actions fairly closely: assuming responsibility for measuring the problem (e.g., screening patients for social needs), assessing the impact of action (e.g., intervening on social needs and tracking outcomes), and focusing on deprivation in areas of material circumstances (as opposed to more upstream determinants like laws and policies). Castrucci and Auerbach (2019) correctly argue that these person-level experiences such as food and housing insecurity are really individual social needs , not SDOH ( 25 ). Although sometimes still referred to as SDOH by healthcare systems and in research ( 4 ), the term “social needs” is increasingly being used as shorthand for unmet material needs experienced by individuals.

The momentum to address social needs in health care settings is now visible in several routine practices. Recent national surveys of Medicaid managed care plans, hospitals and health systems show that in particular, two individual-level approaches – screening for social needs and making referrals to social services – are already in widespread practice ( 6 , 67 ). However, not all healthcare organizations have a formal process for screening and referral ( 67 ) and rates of uptake appear to be lower among healthcare providers in low-resource settings ( 82 ). The growing interest and investment in screening and referral for social needs has already spawned dozens of new technology platforms designed to facilitate the process of addressing social needs ( 23 ).

Many larger health systems have also invested in community-level and structural solutions. According to one study of 57 health systems, $1.6 billion was spent from 2017-2019 on housing interventions alone, including construction of affordable housing for homeless patients and those with high use of healthcare, helping employees purchase homes in neighborhoods targeted for revitalization, and eviction prevention programs ( 51 ). Although these tended to be pilot projects undertaken by larger health systems in partnership with other community organizations (and generally not represented in the scientific research literature), they are nonetheless major investments that hint at the potential for multi-sector collaborations to address these needs.

At present, however, such partnerships may be the exception: only 30% of hospitals and health systems in a national survey reported having fully-functional formal partnerships with community-based social needs providers, and 70% did not have dedicated funds to address social needs for all their target populations ( 67 ). Moreover, many health systems likely lack community-level social needs data to inform investments of this scope. Studies show that SDOH information is the least developed component of the Community Health Needs Assessments that are required of all 501(c)(3) organizations that operate hospitals ( 45 , 83 , 101 ).

The scientific literature on healthcare efforts to address SDOH is overwhelmingly skewed towards research on individual social needs, which is the focus of this paper. With 12 new studies of social needs interventions published every month ( 32 ), special supplements of leading journals dedicated to social needs research ( 40 , 110 ), and a growing number of evidence reviews on the subject ( 9 , 42 , 70 , 96 , 104 ), it is important that public health professionals understand this research and practice, its complementarity with public health efforts to address SDOH, and the opportunities it provides for partnership to improve population health and reduce disparities.

Drawing on this growing body of research, we describe the social needs experiences of diverse populations, the effects of social needs on health, and the impact of interventions on social needs and health improvement, utilization and costs. We conclude by identifying gaps in the knowledge base and implementation challenges to be overcome, and we suggest future directions for a science of social needs.

Assessing social needs

Although there is strong interest in community-level indicators, social needs are most commonly measured among individuals, using self-report. Healthcare organizations have a long history of screening for specific concerns (e.g., interpersonal safety) in specific clinical populations (e.g., pregnant women, seniors, pediatric patients) or settings (e.g., emergency departments) ( 5 ). Today’s social needs screeners are more multidimensional and include a range of screening tools ( 39 , 49 , 77 , 78 ) that vary in the total number of questions asked (e.g., 2-23), the time interval assessed (e.g., needs experienced in the past 12 months, current needs, anticipated need in the next month), whether needs are assessed for the respondent only or all members of the household, and the different sets of needs assessed.

In 2015, the Institute of Medicine recommended 11 key measures including race/ethnicity, education, financial strain, stress, depression, interpersonal safety, tobacco use, physical activity, and social connections ( 2 , 54 ). A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) measure covers five domains – housing, food, transportation, utilities and safety/abuse – using 10 items ( 15 ). The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) added to the CMS measure questions assessing education, employment status, financial insecurity and childcare needs ( 78 ). The Health Leads screening tool also assesses whether any of their social needs were urgent, and whether they needed help reading hospital materials ( 49 ). The PRAPARE tool adds items assessing incarceration history in the past year, stress level, and frequency of feeling socially connected ( 77 ).

Across these and other social needs screening tools, the most commonly included items assess needs related to food, utilities, housing, transportation, and personal safety. Within these multi-dimensional domains, screening tends to focus on aspects of the need that align with priorities of the healthcare organization or its perceived locus of influence. For example, screening items are more likely to assess housing stability than housing quality, even though both can have a great impact on people’s lives and health. Most screening tools do not include an open-ended question about other social needs patients may want to report that were not already addressed, which could improve the patient-centeredness of screening tools and elicit additional needs.

In addition to assessing social needs, the AAFP and Health Leads screeners also assess whether a respondent wants assistance addressing a social need. Some research suggests many may not ( 28 ). For example, a multi-site survey of 969 adult patients and caregivers of pediatric patients across nine states found that screening for social needs in healthcare settings was widely viewed as appropriate ( 29 ), but qualitative interviews with a subset of respondents revealed that not all wanted help from healthcare teams addressing social needs ( 22 ). Interviews showed that patients wanted their healthcare providers to be aware of their social needs, but did not expect them to resolve the needs; some even felt it was outside the scope of medicine to do so. In related findings, only 40-60% of people who report an unmet need agree to participate in navigation or other social needs programs ( 11 , 39 , 82 , 92 ).

Some social needs screeners include items that identify non-modifiable factors that could influence the types of social need assistance available to a person. For example, incarceration history or veteran status are not social needs, but could affect a person’s eligibility for services to address social needs ( 3 , 77 ). Use of such items and treatment of the resulting data should be carefully considered to avoid unintended consequences. For example, a history of incarceration might bias the treatment a patient receives, and remain in their electronic medical record long-term.

Although most social needs screening tools in widespread use were designed for adult patients, many screeners have also been developed for and/or administered to parents of pediatric patients ( 74 , 81 ). A recent review identified 11 different social needs measures for pediatric patients, most of which addressed social needs in the broader family context ( 96 ).

There is considerable variability in the wording, response format and time frame assessed in different social needs screening items, as well as in the procedures for administering them. These differences across studies make it difficult to directly compare results ( 50 ). In some screening tools, a single item assesses multiple needs (e.g., “How likely is it that you will have enough money for food, rent and clothing in the next 6 months?”), making it difficult to determine exactly which needs are unmet. Other questions require respondents to connect in causal fashion a social need to a health outcome (e.g., “Within the past 12 months, I couldn’t afford to eat balanced or healthy meals”) ( 94 ). These examples also illustrate the variability in time frame considered for each social need exposure; some are prospective while others are retrospective, and the relevant time period can range from a day or week to a year ( 15 ).

There is no consensus on how or how often patients should be screened for social needs. This includes determining which patients should be screened, in which settings, and by whom. Currently, social needs screening is administered in diverse healthcare contexts (e.g., community health centers, emergency departments, inpatient services), with different populations (e.g., pediatrics, those with chronic disease, low-income patients), using different modalities (e.g., verbal, paper, tablet computer), and implemented by a range of interviewers (e.g., doctors, nurses, social workers, community health workers, volunteers), and during different points in a clinical encounter (e.g., waiting room, exam room, post-visit). Some have cautioned that selective screening – assessing social needs only in certain patient populations, based on perceptions or data on place of residence, race or ethnicity, or perceived education – could erode patient trust and exacerbate stigma, discrimination, and health disparities ( 36 ). Screening all patients for social needs would reduce this risk ( 71 ).

Prevalence of social needs

Unmet social needs are widespread in marginalized populations. Studies assessing the prevalence of social needs have relied mostly on self-report from screening questions, though some have constructed social needs indicators based on administrative data ( 58 ) or tracked requests to community helplines (30; N. Verdecias, R. Garg, J. Steensma, A. McQueen, R. Greer, M.W. Kreuter, manuscript in review). Studies frequently report the prevalence of individual social needs as well as the total and/or mean number social needs experienced, including the percent with 0, 1, or 2+ social needs. Table 1 reports findings from 15 studies to illustrate the prevalence of selected social needs in different populations and healthcare settings.

Sample of studies that report prevalence of social needs.

NA = data not available (i.e., not reported)

ND = no data collected

Studies find that participants frequently have 2 or more social needs, even though most assess a relatively small number of needs ( 38 , 41 , 62 , 64 , 86 ). Studies that screen a broader patient population tend to find fewer social needs per person ( 50 ). In Table 1 , findings are grouped into two types of social need studies. Studies in clinical settings assess social needs during healthcare visits. This screening usually occurs in person but sometimes through other modalities such as online surveys ( 48 ). Studies in a community or non-clinical setting assesses social needs either independently from healthcare, among individuals who are seeking assistance through social service helplines, or through phone outreach to members of a healthcare plan or system.

Social needs related to housing, food, childcare and general financial strain are among the most common social needs experienced. In Table 1 , 5-43% of participants screened in clinical settings had housing stability needs. Other housing related needs, including low-quality housing or limited space in the home, are often more prevalent than housing instability in studies that assess both ( 50 , 64 , 92 , 105 ). However, many studies report housing stability alone and do not assess quality separately ( 11 , 16 , 27 , 37 , 38 , 79 , 80 , 88 , 95 , 99 ).

Food insecurity, operationally defined in various studies as eating less, skipping meals, not having enough food for one’s family, or running out of food before having money or food stamps to buy more, is one of the most highly prevalent needs ( 11 , 27 , 41 , 48 , 79 , 88 , 95 ). In Table 1 , 6-41% of participants screened in clinical settings had food-related needs.

Among adults with young children, the need to find quality and/or affordable childcare is highly prevalent ( 37 , 38 , 62 , 86 ), although it often appears less so in general population screening when the denominator includes those without young children ( 27 , 50 , 80 , 92 ). In Table 1 , 29-50% of adults with young children reported childcare needs while only 2-3% reported childcare needs in general population studies that also included those without young children.

General financial strain is one of the most commonly identified social needs across studies in many different settings, although screening questions for financial strain vary widely, making comparisons of prevalence across groups difficult. For example, Kreuter et al found that not having enough money for unexpected expenses was the most prevalent social need (47-89%) in four independent studies ( 62 ). Other studies also found that financial strain was the most common social need, either in the context of paying for health care ( 11 , 16 , 99 ) or general employment and income concerns ( 27 , 37 , 38 , 58 ).

These rates of housing, food, childcare and financial needs among low-income samples are generally higher than population-wide estimates from public health surveillance efforts. In the U.S., slightly more than 10% of households experience food insecurity at some time each year ( 106 ). Around 7% of U.S. households are cost burdened and around 0.2% of Americans are homeless ( 108 ).

The most prevalent needs can vary widely by study setting. Among helpline callers, for example, social needs related to utility bill payment and transportation are more common than they are among populations screened in healthcare settings ( 30 , 62 , 64 ). This may be because screening in healthcare settings often assesses transportation needs in the specific context of healthcare access, and because those who arrive for a healthcare visit have overcome, at least temporarily, whatever transportation need they may have.

Studies in clinical and community settings have identified several common correlates of having more unmet social needs, including lower income, less education, and unemployment ( 11 , 47 , 62 , 64 , 95 , 105 ). For other demographic characteristics, however, findings are mixed. Some studies have found that older participants report more social needs ( 62 ), while other studies have found that younger participants have more social needs ( 87 ). There have also been conflicting findings about the association between gender and social needs ( 11 , 50 , 62 ).

Although national surveillance data suggest that members of racial and ethnic minority groups are at increased risk for food insecurity and housing instability ( 107 , 108 , 109 ), studies of social needs have not found a consistent association. One study among helpline callers found that White participants were more likely to have social needs ( 62 ), while other studies have found no association between race and social needs ( 47 , 62 , 95 ) or that Black or Hispanic participants are more likely to have social needs ( 11 , 50 , 62 , 87 ). The conflicting findings may be explained, at least in part, by differences in study samples and/or measures.

The link between social needs and health

Both in the U.S. and globally, broad social determinants such as income and education are associated with health outcomes including chronic disease and mortality ( 1 , 20 , 21 , 68 , 69 , 98 ). There is also a growing body of research linking individual social needs to a range of health outcomes from behaviors to mortality to health care utilization and costs ( 76 ). For example, material need has been associated with lesser access to and use of treatment and prevention services, later diagnosis and resolution, and greater hospitalization, length of stay, readmission, complications, and mortality ( 60 ). These associations may be mediated by lack of health insurance ( 111 ). Because much of this research is based upon cross-sectional data, causality often cannot be established and could be bi-directional or reversed ( 72 ). For example, longitudinal studies have shown basic needs predict depressive symptoms ( 18 ), but also vice versa ( 52 ).

Many studies have examined the relationship between a single social need and a particular set of health outcomes. Most commonly, this research has focused on social needs related to food and housing. Food insecurity is associated with negative health consequences across the life span including obesity, stunting, wasting, and cardiometabolic disease ( 24 ). It has been associated with sleep problems ( 44 ), inflammation ( 43 ), poor diabetes control among diabetic patients ( 12 ), and poor health among children ( 7 , 89 ). Among the general U.S. population, adults reporting food insecurity have higher subsequent health care expenditures ( 10 ), whereas low-income adults who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have lower health care expenditures compared to those who do not ( 13 ).

Housing insecurity and homelessness are also associated with negative health outcomes among adults ( 66 , 100 ) and children ( 26 ). Low-income adults that receive rent assistance have three-fold lower odds of rating their health as “fair” or “poor” compared to peers on a waitlist for rest assistance ( 59 ). Among Canadian adults with HIV, having at least one unmet need (for food, clothing, or housing) was associated with lower physical and mental health quality of life ( 95 ).

There is strong evidence for a dose-response relationship between social needs and health. Studies show that increased social needs are associated with worse physical, mental and self-rated health, more chronic conditions, depressive symptoms, and higher perceived stress ( 11 , 16 , 62 , 64 , 95 , 105 ). Among children, higher levels of unmet needs are associated with lower levels of child wellness ( 34 ).

Social needs are also associated with a range of health-related behaviors including smoking, illicit drug use, eating fewer fruits and vegetables, getting less exercise, getting less sleep, and not seeking preventive healthcare ( 16 , 58 , 62 , 64 , 84 , 105 ). For many of these behaviors, the association with social needs also follows a dose-response gradient.

Although most research linking social needs with health behaviors and health outcomes has been cross-sectional, longitudinal studies have also established that social needs predict negative health outcomes. In community-dwelling adults, higher levels of unmet social needs were associated with increases in depressive symptoms ( 18 ), increases in problems with physical functioning ( 90 ) and higher mortality ( 17 ).

This accumulation of evidence has led the National Academies to conclude, “The consistent and compelling evidence on how social determinants shape health has led to a growing recognition throughout the heath care sector that improving health and reducing health disparities is likely to depend—at least in part—on improving social conditions and decreasing social vulnerability” ( 76 ; p. 27).

More evidence is needed about the mechanisms through which unmet needs affect health. Several conceptual models and frameworks have been proposed to explain the indirect effects of addressing social needs on health outcomes: through reduced stress and competing demands for resources and improved adherence to medication and physician visits ( 46 , 75 ), and through improved health behaviors, physiologic functioning, and psychosocial factors ( 8 , 9 , 21 , 72 , 98 ).

Social needs interventions

Some social needs interventions focus on addressing a particular need, while others are increasingly addressing a range of needs ( 9 , 35 , 42 ). Among interventions addressing multiple social needs identified through screening, the simplest approaches compile and distribute social needs resource guides, often with little follow up or evaluation. More comprehensive “linkage” interventions involve systematic approaches to screening for social needs followed by social prescriptions or referrals for specific resources available from independent or partner community organizations (e.g., food bank, YMCA) or a co-located service provider (e.g., medical-legal partnerships).

Given eligibility requirements and limited resources at many social service provider agencies, however, there is no guarantee that linking patients with community programs will resolve the patient’s social needs. Although some patients may be able to resolve their unmet need independently using a resource information booklet or following a verbal or written referral for an assistance program, others will be more successful with personal help from someone like a case manager or social needs navigator ( 72 ) who can advise them on the documentation needed to meet eligibility criteria, help them connect with the agency, and assist them with applications.

Social needs navigators are often affiliated with a healthcare organization or community agency (e.g., social workers, nurses, community health workers, volunteers) and provide ongoing support and follow up in person and/or by phone. In many healthcare organizations, patients with high acuity or utilization are offered case management or navigation services to address health and social needs (i.e., hotspotting ( 33 )), but it is less common for navigation programs to be made available universally to a patient or member population, without regard to individual differences in health risk profiles.

Several reviews of the literature have identified and summarized interventions designed to address social needs. Most studies report the prevalence of needs and what percent of needs were resolved through referrals over a particular time period ( 19 , 38 ); fewer report health outcomes or cost savings. Results have varied based on which needs were addressed. In one review, intervention studies addressing housing needs found effects on health outcomes, costs, or both, whereas studies of nutrition, income, or care coordination supports were more sparse and had mixed effects ( 104 ). Several interventions have focused on housing and childhood asthma triggers; some reported reductions in the use of urgent health care services and increases in symptom-free days and quality of life ( 9 ). Incorporating social work interventions within primary care has shown promising effects on subjective health measures, self-management of chronic conditions, and reduced psychosocial morbidity and barriers to care ( 70 ).

There is also evidence for benefits of social needs navigator programs that address multiple needs. For example, one study determined that having a university-affiliated navigator for 3 months led to greater improvement in parents’ evaluation of overall child health than a printed community resource guide ( 41 ). Another found that having a community health worker provide navigation for 6 months was more effective and cost-effective in reducing hospitalization and costs compared with standard care ( 56 , 57 ). A comparative-effectiveness study showed that delivering navigation via a clinic setting vs. a community setting did not differentially affect psychosocial outcomes ( 85 ). An evaluation of Health Leads programs across three sites found that patients who screened positive for unmet social needs and agreed to participate in navigation showed improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol (but not HbA1c) over time compared to those who declined participation ( 11 ). Providing a medical-legal intervention to parents with newborns increased access to supports (e.g., food, utility assistance, public assistance), increased rates of immunization and preventive care, and decreased emergency department visits ( 93 ).

Although individual studies provide promising results for navigation interventions, reviews of the literature identify multiple areas for methodological improvement to strengthen our knowledge of what works ( 9 , 42 , 104 ). Most trials to-date have used social needs screening tools with unknown reliability and validity and focused on process outcomes. Few involved large samples or included cost-effectiveness analysis, some lacked appropriate comparison groups to provide rigorous results that are generalizable to broad patient populations, and long-term follow-up varied. Additionally, many trials involve pre-post designs among high-risk or high-utilizing patients; thus results may be confounded by regression to the mean, as seems to be the case in hotspotting interventions ( 33 ). It is also important to evaluate whether interventions to reduce healthcare utilization (less ED use) are beneficial and not potentially harmful (e.g., having unintended consequences such as reducing preventive care) ( 14 , 92 ).

In addition to the need for more rigorous studies evaluating whether social needs interventions are effective, there is an equally important need for research seeking to explain how these interventions influence health and social needs outcomes. Fichtenberg and colleagues (2019) suggest four potential pathways: increasing patient access to resources, reducing patient stress, helping healthcare providers give better care, and reducing provider burnout ( 32 ). The latter two of these are provider-related, and have received less attention in research conducted to date. It’s possible that knowing a patient’s social needs could alter in a quality-enhancing way a provider’s approach to medication management, behavior change recommendations, or other patient interactions, or that knowing your healthcare system has an infrastructure and resources to assist with social needs reduces providers’ stress and worry when treating patients with unmet social needs. Studies exploring these and other mechanisms of effect will advance the science and practice of addressing social needs.

Challenges and next steps

A key assumption underlying the strategy to address social needs through screening and referral interventions is that social service agencies have sufficient capacity to address the demand in their communities. A few longitudinal studies have tracked the outcomes of social needs referrals and found that overall, only about one-third of those receiving a referral end up getting assistance from the referral agency ( 19 , 91 ). But the capacity of social service agencies can vary widely by community and type of social need ( 86 ), with community capacity higher in urban versus rural areas, for example, or higher for responding to food-related needs compared to housing needs ( 63 ). Screening and referral interventions may not be suitable for social needs that cannot be reliably addressed due to limited capacity of the local social service system.

Our current knowledge of how a person’s social needs change over time is limited. In both research and practice to date, screening or assessment of social needs is at best sporadic, and when it is assessed at multiple time points there are often long gaps between assessments. This is not a problem if social needs are relatively stable, but there is no evidence supporting that. Rather, studies examining the financial needs of low-income individuals suggest that they fluctuate frequently and often dramatically ( 73 , 103 ). Thus changing needs over time cannot be resolved by a one-time intervention and may perhaps be more effectively addressed by longer-term interventions such as ongoing navigation. Understanding the patterns, timing and sequences in which some social needs rise and others fall could also help social needs interventions shift from being reactive to proactive, and could even help identify issues that require addressing underlying causes a population level. Longitudinal research measuring dynamic needs and their effects on each other and on health is needed.

Current screening and referral interventions tend to treat each social need a person reports as independent. In other words, if a person has food and transportation needs, they would likely receive one referral for food assistance and another for transportation services. While having the advantage of being simple and straightforward, this approach ignores possible links among different social needs and may use limited community resources inefficiently. As an example, needing utility payment assistance and money for daily necessities like food, clothing and shelter are highly correlated across multiple social needs studies ( r s = .49 to .71) ( 62 ). When planning social needs interventions, it’s possible that addressing one need – say transportation, by providing a needed car repair or bus pass – would leave enough money in the person’s budget to help meet food needs or increase their ability to get to food stores. Future work should identify and test promising alternative strategies that solve individual needs while preserving limited community resources.

It is also plausible that certain social needs may cluster in certain population sub-groups ( 61 ). For example, a proof-of-concept analysis showed that compared to others in a low-income sample, women with children were more likely to report not having enough space in their home and needing help with utility bills, men under 50 were more likely to report being physically threatened and needing a place to stay, and adults 50 and older in fair or poor health were more likely to need food and transportation ( 62 ). Hudson and colleagues argue that Black men may experience distinct stressors over the life course and may benefit from social needs interventions that address their particular social, legal, or economic needs (e.g., getting disability benefits or clearing criminal and credit histories) ( 53 ). If certain combinations of social needs occur more commonly in distinct population sub-groups, healthcare and other organizations could develop integrated packages of interventions supported by coalitions of community partners to increase effectiveness. We found no published studies comparing effects of one-size-fits-all social needs interventions with interventions that are highly targeted for specific population sub-groups with similar social needs experiences.

Understanding the complex and dynamic relationships among social needs could also make screening for social needs more efficient. For example, compared to those who do not express transportation needs when calling a community helpline, individuals who do express transportation needs have three times greater odds of also having food needs and twice the odds of needing health insurance or a regular doctor, even though they had not sought help for food or healthcare needs from the helpline (N. Verdecias, R. Garg, J. Steensma, A. McQueen, R. Greer, M.W. Kreuter, manuscript in review). Identifying such interdependencies could lead to adaptive social needs assessment tools that are at once shorter and more informative.

All of these considerations – community capacity, temporal patterns and clusters of social needs, common social needs experiences of different population sub-groups, and smart social needs screening tools that are adaptive and conditional – have practical implications for delivering social needs interventions. They help answer key questions for advancing the field, including which social needs to target and when, which individuals might benefit most from which interventions, and which strategies can identify and address social needs most efficiently, cost-effectively, and sustainably ( 32 ).

At the same time, even if social needs interventions in healthcare evolve and are increasingly guided by a robust science of social needs, they should be understood in a broader context and optimized through complementary partnerships and policies. Not all people have health insurance or access to healthcare. Integration of healthcare and social services provides a useful example of the range of collaborative possibilities. On a continuum of degrees of integration, screening and referral interventions that send patients from a health plan to certain social service agencies would rank low compared to community-wide collaborations that reach and benefit all people, not just health plan members ( 31 ). In fact, different health plans that implement similar social needs referral programs may ultimately compete with each other for the same social services for their own members.

Addressing people’s social needs in a way that works and lasts will be difficult and likely expensive. Results may be modest and the time horizon for seeing health benefits long, or perhaps never if underlying causes are not addressed upstream. There is a real risk that the healthcare sector could lose interest along the way, decide that the investment is not worth it, or conclude that others are better suited to address social needs. That would be a tremendous missed opportunity. Sustaining the attention, interest and investment of the health care sector must be a high priority. Public health professionals and organizations are needed to help build, lead, or participate with healthcare organizations in cross-sector and multi-level community efforts to improve population health and reduce disparities by addressing SDOH and social needs.

Efforts at all levels of the continuum will work better if there are investments in and modernization of the social service sector, including social safety net policies and resource allocation to sustain them ( 40 ). As health care interventions to address social needs continue to be developed, refined, and tested, it is crucial for public health professionals to also strive to shape the upstream SDOH that drive both health disparities and the inequitable distribution of unmet social needs ( 65 ).

Contributor Information

Matthew W. Kreuter, The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis.

Tess Thompson, The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis.

Amy McQueen, School of Medicine and The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis.

Rachel Garg, The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis.

Common Social Needs of Children Essay

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Erickson’s theory of social emotional development, explains that between the age of three and half to four years, children go through the stage of learning versus guilt. During the stage, the child learns to imagine in order to broaden his or her skills through playing, to cooperate with others and to lead as well as to follow. If the child does not develop initiative and instead develops guilt, he or she will be fearful, continues to depend on adults, follows groups and is not developed in her imagination and playing skills (Harder, 2009). During this stage the child learns the skills of imagination; this is important since in later life, it will broaden the child’s perspective. Another important skill that a child needs is the skill of cooperation, this will help boost the child’s team spirit and enable him/her to participate in teamwork. Another important skill is the leadership skill; this enables an individual to organize and manage people effectively in order to be able to achieve something positive in social development.

For the effective development of a child, nurture plays a very crucial role. Maslow’s theory classifies human needs into a hierarchy; he explains that the needs are satisfied in a stepwise manner. The needs in their order of satisfaction include; physiological needs, Safety needs, need for love, affection and belonging, need for esteem and the highest level of need is the need for self actualization (Simons, Donald, Irwin and Drinnien, 1987). The family environment should be rich in terms of learning opportunities so as to bring out the best in the children. One of the important qualities of a family will be one that has a varied learning and educational materials and activities. These can be televisions, newspapers and the internet. These are likely to increase a child’s imagination capability and broaden his or her perspective. A family where every member of the family plays a role in having an activity done instill the values of cooperation in the children. For instance, the family members could be helping each other with the cleaning, meal preparation and so on; but not leaving all the activities to an individual, for instance, the mother or the nanny. The parents should also allow their children to take personal initiative without hindrance; the parents can also consider making the children be in control of given activities in the house, this will encourage the development of leadership skills.

When the heads of the family are dictatorial and do not allow the children to make their own decisions, then it means the children will grow to become followers and not leaders; it also narrows the children’s imagination and innovative capability since the children have almost all of their decisions made by the parents. This will also impact negatively on the child’s development of cooperation skills because the parents act as an autonomous authority and the children are not allowed to cooperate and contribute to decision making in the family.

In order to develop the learners’ imagination, cooperation and leadership skills, the educator can divide the learners in the class and then allow them to select a topic about a challenge in the society that needs a solution. He or she should also organize the learners work in such a way that each of the learners has an active role in the group. The work should also be divided into segments and each of the segments should be headed by a member of the group. This will enhance the learners’ leadership skills.

When the teacher pays a lot of attention on delivering the content to the learners, he will tend to ignore the importance of the learners in the learning process and as a result the learners would have been reduced to listeners instead of being active participants in the learning process. This method of teaching becomes one way – from the teacher to the learners. It reduces the learners’ imaginative skills since they are expected to take in everything the teacher says without questioning. It also reduces cooperation in learning since all the attention is based on the teacher. Finally, it does not enhance the learners leadership skills; this is seen in the way it is executed, the teacher leads and the learners follow, this will make the learners feel like followers and not leaders.

Children have a lot of needs to be met both at school and at home so as to enhance their development. As described in Vygotsky social theory, a child’s development is determined by those he or she interacts with and his or her cultural background. It is therefore important that the interactions are guided and made healthy so as to enhance a positive development in the child. When a child’s needs are met, he or she will feel satisfied, safe, loved and so on, but if the needs are not met then the child will develop restlessness, thus affecting learning process.

Works Cited

Harder, A. F. (2009). The Developmental Stages of Erik Erickson . Web.

Simons, J. Donald, Irwin, B. and Drinnien, B. A. (1987). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs . Web.

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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

What is maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is one of the most prominent psychological theories that explain individual motivation . Published in his seminal paper, ‘A theory of human motivation’, Abraham Maslow, an American psychologist and professor, depicted human needs as five hierarchical levels within a pyramid (Maslow, 1943).

Figure 1: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Source: Campbell and Craig (2012, p.609)

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs implies that individuals must satisfy their lower-level needs before they can attend a higher set of needs. As you can see from the figure above, there are five levels of needs, which depict individuals’ inborn desire to self-actualise. Let’s take a closer look at these needs.

Level 1: Physiological needs

The lowest level of human needs, also known as physiological needs, is made up of the most basic, biological needs, which represent the basic physical requirements of any individual. Amongst other things, these requirements include the need for food, oxygen, shelter, and water and form the basis for the pyramid. Within the scope of Maslow’s framework, these needs are the strongest ones since if an individual is deprived of all needs, they will strive to address the physiological needs in the first place. Indeed, you are unlikely to think about personal growth if you are starving, for example (Maslow, 1981). All you can think about in this situation is how to eat something because without food your body cannot function optimally. At this point, all other needs become of secondary importance until your stomach is full again.

Level 2: Safety needs

Once the needs for food (and other physiological needs) are met, the need for safety and security becomes prominent. According to Maslow, individuals strive to minimise risks and uncertainty, meaning they want predictability and order in their lives. They also want to be secure in the knowledge that this safety and security need will be addressed in the future too (Campbell and Craig, 2012). For example, medical care, police, business, and education are amongst the things that allow us to fulfil our safety and security needs. In the organisational context, this need is often addressed by financial remuneration and a safe workplace. Social and financial stability is what provides safety against external pressures and accidents. Together, the first two levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs make up the basic needs.

Level 3: Belongingness and love needs

At the third level in the hierarchy of needs by Maslow is social needs, which involves feelings of love and belongingness (Smith, 2017). Once the needs for security and safety are addressed, individuals strive to establish a give-and-take relationship with others in their attempt to overcome the feeling of alienation, depression, and loneliness. Examples of social needs include friendship, acceptance, trust, and love. The role of these needs in the organisational context is also significant since a lack of acceptance and poor relationships with colleagues can have a devastating effect on one’s motivation, engagement, and productivity in the workplace.

Level 4: Esteem needs

Similarly to the first three levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, esteem needs are attributed to deficiency needs, which arise because of deprivation. In other words, these needs are said to motivate individuals when they are unaddressed (Smith, 2017). Maslow categorised the esteem needs into two groups, namely (a) esteem for oneself and (b) the desire for respect and reputation from others. Have you ever wanted your efforts to be recognised by others? This is an example of the esteem need. It is quite natural to need to sense that you are valued and that your contribution to the world is important to others. Your personal hobbies, the acquisition of an academic degree, and participation in social and professional activities can all contribute to the satisfaction of your esteem needs.

Level 5: Self-actualisation

Self-actualisation, according to Maslow’s classification, is a being or growth need. What distinguishes it from the lower-level needs is that it does not stem from a lack of something. Instead, the need for self-actualisation is driven by one’s desire to realise their potential to its fullest. This need can be developed and addressed only after all the aforementioned needs are addressed. It does not mean, however, that need satisfaction is an ‘all-or-none’ phenomenon. In his later works, Maslow (1987) admitted that a need must not be satisfied 100% before the subsequent need emerges. That means that you can feel a desire to become the most you can be even if your self-esteem needs are not fully addressed.

Using the Tool

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs can be used in a variety of contexts, making it a really useful model when it comes to analysing employee motivation and engagement. But you should not think about this framework as a process or instrument when exploring the issue of employee motivation. Instead, it is more beneficial to approach Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as an idea of what drives employees. From this standpoint, workers have numerous needs that must be met to build and maintain a high level of motivation. You should remember that salary and financial bonuses only address the first two levels of the pyramid. Even if employees are well-paid and provided with a high level of job security, they can still experience a lack of motivation and satisfaction. This is because their higher-level needs are not addressed. Job enrichment, cross-training, involvement in the decision-making process, and recognition are just a few examples of how it is possible to address one’s esteem and self-actualisation needs (Smith, 2017).

Getting Help with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Applying Maslow’s hierarchy of needs when writing a business or marketing report or a dissertation might be a tricky and challenging task. This is because the framework is usually used in conjunction with other strategic management instruments, adding to the overall complexity of the analysis process. If you are looking for the help of a reliable academic writing service with guaranteed top grades , we believe that your search is over. With a team of highly experienced academic writers , we make sure your report or dissertation meets the highest quality requirements and standards of your university.

Campbell, D. and Craig, T. (2012) Organisations and the business environment , London: Routledge.

Maslow, A. (1943) “A theory of human motivation”, Psychological Review , 50 (4), pp. 370-396.

Maslow, A. (1981) Motivation and personality , New Delhi: Prabhat Prakashan.

Maslow, A. (1987) Motivation and personality , 3 rd ed., Delhi: Pearson Education.

Smith, L. (2017) Meet Maslow: How understanding the priorities of those around us can lead to harmony and improvement , Scotts Valley: CreateSpace Independent.

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Extended Essay: The Theory of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

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Beyond Intractability

The Hyper-Polarization Challenge to the Conflict Resolution Field We invite you to participate in an online exploration of what those with conflict and peacebuilding expertise can do to help defend liberal democracies and encourage them live up to their ideals.

Follow BI and the Hyper-Polarization Discussion on BI's New Substack Newsletter .

Hyper-Polarization, COVID, Racism, and the Constructive Conflict Initiative Read about (and contribute to) the  Constructive Conflict Initiative  and its associated Blog —our effort to assemble what we collectively know about how to move beyond our hyperpolarized politics and start solving society's problems. 

By Sandra Marker

August 2003  

What Human Needs Are

Humans need a number of essentials to survive. According to the renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow and the conflict scholar John Burton, these essentials go beyond just food, water, and shelter. They include both physical and non-physical elements needed for human growth and development, as well as all those things humans are innately driven to attain.

For Maslow, needs are hierarchical in nature. That is, each need has a specific ranking or order of obtainment. Maslow's needs pyramid starts with the basic items of food, water, and shelter. These are followed by the need for safety and security, then belonging or love, self-esteem, and finally, personal fulfillment.[1] Burton and other needs theorists who have adopted Maslow's ideas to conflict theory, however, perceive human needs in a different way -- as an emergent collection of human development essentials.[2] Furthermore, they contend needs do not have a hierarchical order. Rather, needs are sought simultaneously in an intense and relentless manner.[3] Needs theorists' list of human essentials include:

• Safety/ Security -- the need for structure, predictability, stability, and freedom from fear and anxiety.
• Belongingness/Love -- the need to be accepted by others and to have strong personal ties with one's family, friends, and identity groups.
• Self-esteem -- the need to be recognized by oneself and others as strong, competent, and capable. It also includes the need to know that one has some effect on her/his environment.
• Personal fulfillment -- the need to reach one's potential in all areas of life.
• Identity -- goes beyond a psychological "sense of self." Burton and other human needs theorists define identity as a sense of self in relation to the outside world. Identity becomes a problem when one's identity is not recognized as legitimate , or when it is considered inferior or is threatened by others with different identifications.
• Cultural security -- is related to identity, the need for recognition of one's language, traditions, religion, cultural values, ideas, and concepts.
• Freedom -- is the condition of having no physical, political, or civil restraints; having the capacity to exercise choice in all aspects of one's life.
• Distributive justice -- is the need for the fair allocation of resources among all members of a community.
• Participation -- is the need to be able to actively partake in and influence civil society .

Why the Concept of Human Needs Matters

Human needs theorists argue that one of the primary causes of protracted or intractable conflict is people's unyielding drive to meet their unmet needs on the individual, group, and societal level.[4] For example, the Palestinian conflict involves the unmet needs of identity and security. Countless Palestinians feel that their legitimate identity is being denied them, both personally and nationally. Numerous Israelis feel they have no security individually because of suicide bombings, nationally because their state is not recognized by many of their close neighbors, and culturally because anti-Semitism is growing worldwide. Israeli and Palestinian unmet needs directly and deeply affect all the other issues associated with this conflict. Consequently, if a resolution is to be found, the needs of Palestinian identity and Israeli security must be addressed and satisfied on all levels.

Arguments For the Human Needs Approach

Human needs theorists offer a new dimension to conflict theory. Their approach provides an important conceptual tool that not only connects and addresses human needs on all levels. Furthermore, it recognizes the existence of negotiable and nonnegotiable issues.[5] That is, needs theorists understand that needs, unlike interests, cannot be traded, suppressed, or bargained for.[6] Thus, the human needs approach makes a case for turning away from traditional negotiation models that do not take into account nonnegotiable issues. These include interest-based negotiation models that view conflict in terms of win-win or other consensus-based solutions, and conventional power models (primarily used in the field of negotiation and international relations) that construct conflict and conflict management in terms of factual and zero-sum game perspectives.[7]

The human needs approach, on the other hand, supports collaborative and multifaceted problem-solving models and related techniques, such as problem-solving workshops or an analytical problem-solving process. These models take into account the complexity of human life and the insistent nature of human needs.[8] Problem-solving approaches also analyze the fundamental sources of conflict , while maintaining a focus on fulfilling peoples' unmet needs. In addition, they involve the interested parties in finding and developing acceptable ways to meet the needs of all concerned.

Human needs theorists further understand that although needs cannot be compromised , they can be addressed in a generally win-win or positive-sum way.[9] An example of this win-win or positive sum process can be gleaned from the Kosovo conflict. When the Albanians obtained protective security, the Serbs also gained this protection, so both sides gained.[10]

Arguments Against the Human Needs Approach

However, many questions and uncertainties surround the human needs approach to solving conflicts. For instance, how can one define human needs? How can one know what needs are involved in conflict situations? How can one know what human needs are being met and unmet? Are human needs cultural or universal in nature? If they are cultural, is the analysis of human needs beneficial beyond a specific conflict? Are some needs inherently more important than others? If some needs are more important, should these be pursued first?

Other critics of the human needs approach assert that many conflicts involve both needs and interests. So, conflict resolution cannot come about by just meeting human needs. For example, when looking at the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, it is understood that both needs (identity, security, freedom) and interests (i.e., resource allocation, international boundaries) are involved. Consequently, even if the needs of both parties get met, the conflict will probably not be resolved. Resolution can only come about when both needs and interests are dealt with.[11]

Nevertheless, most scholars and practitioners agree that issues of identity , security , and recognition , are critical in many or even most intractable conflicts. They may not be the only issue, but they are one of the important issues that must be dealt with if an intractable conflict is to be transformed . Ignoring the underlying needs and just negotiating the interests may at times lead to a short-term settlement, but it rarely will lead to long-term resolution.

[1] Jay Rothman, Resolving Identity-Based Conflict in Nations, Organizations, and Communities (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1997)

[2] John Burton, Conflict Resolution and Prevention (New York: St. Martins Press, 1990)

[3] Jay Rothman, 1997

[4] Terrell A. Northrup, "The Dynamic of Identity in Personal and Social Conflict," in Intractable Conflicts and their Transformation , ed. Louis Kriesberg, Terrell A. Northrup and Stuart J. Thorson (Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, 1989), 55-82.

[5] Roger A. Coate and Jerel A. Rosati, "Human Needs in World Society," in The Power of Human Needs in World Society, ed. Roger A. Coate and Jerel A. Rosati (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1988), 1-20.

[6] David J. Carroll, Jerel A. Rosati, and Roger A. Coate, "Human Needs Realism: A Critical Assessment of the Power of Human Needs in World Society," in The Power of Human Needs in World Society, ed. Roger A. Coate and Jerel A. Rosati (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1988), 257-274.

[9] Jay Rothman, 1997.

[10] "Kosovo Leaders Agree to Pact Against Violence," in PeaceWatch 6, no. 5. (August 2000): 1-3. Article also available on-line at http://www.usip.org/peacewatch/pdf/pw0800.pdf (accessed 11 February 2003); Internet.

[11] David J. Carroll, Jerel A. Rosati, and Roger A. Coate, 1988.

Use the following to cite this article: Marker, Sandra. "Unmet Human Needs." Beyond Intractability . Eds. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. Conflict Information Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder. Posted: August 2003 < http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/human-needs >.

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Importance of Education — The Importance of Education for Personal and Social Development

The Importance of Education for Personal and Social Development

• Categories: Importance of Education Personal Growth and Development

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Published: Sep 7, 2023

Words: 712 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, the value of education in personal development, the impact of education on society, educational solutions to social issues.

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How to Write the Community Essay – Guide with Examples (2023-24)

September 6, 2023

Students applying to college this year will inevitably confront the community essay. In fact, most students will end up responding to several community essay prompts for different schools. For this reason, you should know more than simply how to approach the community essay as a genre. Rather, you will want to learn how to decipher the nuances of each particular prompt, in order to adapt your response appropriately. In this article, we’ll show you how to do just that, through several community essay examples. These examples will also demonstrate how to avoid cliché and make the community essay authentically and convincingly your own.

Emphasis on Community

Do keep in mind that inherent in the word “community” is the idea of multiple people. The personal statement already provides you with a chance to tell the college admissions committee about yourself as an individual. The community essay, however, suggests that you depict yourself among others. You can use this opportunity to your advantage by showing off interpersonal skills, for example. Or, perhaps you wish to relate a moment that forged important relationships. This in turn will indicate what kind of connections you’ll make in the classroom with college peers and professors.

Apart from comprising numerous people, a community can appear in many shapes and sizes. It could be as small as a volleyball team, or as large as a diaspora. It could fill a town soup kitchen, or spread across five boroughs. In fact, due to the internet, certain communities today don’t even require a physical place to congregate. Communities can form around a shared identity, shared place, shared hobby, shared ideology, or shared call to action. They can even arise due to a shared yet unforeseen circumstance.

What is the Community Essay All About?             

In a nutshell, the community essay should exhibit three things:

• An aspect of yourself, 2. in the context of a community you belonged to, and 3. how this experience may shape your contribution to the community you’ll join in college.

It may look like a fairly simple equation: 1 + 2 = 3. However, each college will word their community essay prompt differently, so it’s important to look out for additional variables. One college may use the community essay as a way to glimpse your core values. Another may use the essay to understand how you would add to diversity on campus. Some may let you decide in which direction to take it—and there are many ways to go!

To get a better idea of how the prompts differ, let’s take a look at some real community essay prompts from the current admission cycle.

Sample 2023-2024 Community Essay Prompts

1) brown university.

“Students entering Brown often find that making their home on College Hill naturally invites reflection on where they came from. Share how an aspect of your growing up has inspired or challenged you, and what unique contributions this might allow you to make to the Brown community. (200-250 words)”

A close reading of this prompt shows that Brown puts particular emphasis on place. They do this by using the words “home,” “College Hill,” and “where they came from.” Thus, Brown invites writers to think about community through the prism of place. They also emphasize the idea of personal growth or change, through the words “inspired or challenged you.” Therefore, Brown wishes to see how the place you grew up in has affected you. And, they want to know how you in turn will affect their college community.

“NYU was founded on the belief that a student’s identity should not dictate the ability for them to access higher education. That sense of opportunity for all students, of all backgrounds, remains a part of who we are today and a critical part of what makes us a world-class university. Our community embraces diversity, in all its forms, as a cornerstone of the NYU experience.

We would like to better understand how your experiences would help us to shape and grow our diverse community. Please respond in 250 words or less.”

Here, NYU places an emphasis on students’ “identity,” “backgrounds,” and “diversity,” rather than any physical place. (For some students, place may be tied up in those ideas.) Furthermore, while NYU doesn’t ask specifically how identity has changed the essay writer, they do ask about your “experience.” Take this to mean that you can still recount a specific moment, or several moments, that work to portray your particular background. You should also try to link your story with NYU’s values of inclusivity and opportunity.

3) University of Washington

“Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW. (300 words max) Tip: Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints.”

UW ’s community essay prompt may look the most approachable, for they help define the idea of community. You’ll notice that most of their examples (“families,” “cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood”…) place an emphasis on people. This may clue you in on their desire to see the relationships you’ve made. At the same time, UW uses the words “individual” and “richly diverse.” They, like NYU, wish to see how you fit in and stand out, in order to boost campus diversity.

Writing Your First Community Essay

Begin by picking which community essay you’ll write first. (For practical reasons, you’ll probably want to go with whichever one is due earliest.) Spend time doing a close reading of the prompt, as we’ve done above. Underline key words. Try to interpret exactly what the prompt is asking through these keywords.

Next, brainstorm. I recommend doing this on a blank piece of paper with a pencil. Across the top, make a row of headings. These might be the communities you’re a part of, or the components that make up your identity. Then, jot down descriptive words underneath in each column—whatever comes to you. These words may invoke people and experiences you had with them, feelings, moments of growth, lessons learned, values developed, etc. Now, narrow in on the idea that offers the richest material and that corresponds fully with the prompt.

Lastly, write! You’ll definitely want to describe real moments, in vivid detail. This will keep your essay original, and help you avoid cliché. However, you’ll need to summarize the experience and answer the prompt succinctly, so don’t stray too far into storytelling mode.

How To Adapt Your Community Essay

Once your first essay is complete, you’ll need to adapt it to the other colleges involving community essays on your list. Again, you’ll want to turn to the prompt for a close reading, and recognize what makes this prompt different from the last. For example, let’s say you’ve written your essay for UW about belonging to your swim team, and how the sports dynamics shaped you. Adapting that essay to Brown’s prompt could involve more of a focus on place. You may ask yourself, how was my swim team in Alaska different than the swim teams we competed against in other states?

Once you’ve adapted the content, you’ll also want to adapt the wording to mimic the prompt. For example, let’s say your UW essay states, “Thinking back to my years in the pool…” As you adapt this essay to Brown’s prompt, you may notice that Brown uses the word “reflection.” Therefore, you might change this sentence to “Reflecting back on my years in the pool…” While this change is minute, it cleverly signals to the reader that you’ve paid attention to the prompt, and are giving that school your full attention.

What to Avoid When Writing the Community Essay  

• Avoid cliché. Some students worry that their idea is cliché, or worse, that their background or identity is cliché. However, what makes an essay cliché is not the content, but the way the content is conveyed. This is where your voice and your descriptions become essential.
• Avoid giving too many examples. Stick to one community, and one or two anecdotes arising from that community that allow you to answer the prompt fully.
• Don’t exaggerate or twist facts. Sometimes students feel they must make themselves sound more “diverse” than they feel they are. Luckily, diversity is not a feeling. Likewise, diversity does not simply refer to one’s heritage. If the prompt is asking about your identity or background, you can show the originality of your experiences through your actions and your thinking.

Community Essay Examples and Analysis

Brown university community essay example.

I used to hate the NYC subway. I’ve taken it since I was six, going up and down Manhattan, to and from school. By high school, it was a daily nightmare. Spending so much time underground, underneath fluorescent lighting, squashed inside a rickety, rocking train car among strangers, some of whom wanted to talk about conspiracy theories, others who had bedbugs or B.O., or who manspread across two seats, or bickered—it wore me out. The challenge of going anywhere seemed absurd. I dreaded the claustrophobia and disgruntlement.

Yet the subway also inspired my understanding of community. I will never forget the morning I saw a man, several seats away, slide out of his seat and hit the floor. The thump shocked everyone to attention. What we noticed: he appeared drunk, possibly homeless. I was digesting this when a second man got up and, through a sort of awkward embrace, heaved the first man back into his seat. The rest of us had stuck to subway social codes: don’t step out of line. Yet this second man’s silent actions spoke loudly. They said, “I care.”

That day I realized I belong to a group of strangers. What holds us together is our transience, our vulnerabilities, and a willingness to assist. This community is not perfect but one in motion, a perpetual work-in-progress. Now I make it my aim to hold others up. I plan to contribute to the Brown community by helping fellow students and strangers in moments of precariousness.    

Brown University Community Essay Example Analysis

Here the student finds an original way to write about where they come from. The subway is not their home, yet it remains integral to ideas of belonging. The student shows how a community can be built between strangers, in their responsibility toward each other. The student succeeds at incorporating key words from the prompt (“challenge,” “inspired” “Brown community,” “contribute”) into their community essay.

UW Community Essay Example

I grew up in Hawaii, a world bound by water and rich in diversity. In school we learned that this sacred land was invaded, first by Captain Cook, then by missionaries, whalers, traders, plantation owners, and the U.S. government. My parents became part of this problematic takeover when they moved here in the 90s. The first community we knew was our church congregation. At the beginning of mass, we shook hands with our neighbors. We held hands again when we sang the Lord’s Prayer. I didn’t realize our church wasn’t “normal” until our diocese was informed that we had to stop dancing hula and singing Hawaiian hymns. The order came from the Pope himself.

Eventually, I lost faith in God and organized institutions. I thought the banning of hula—an ancient and pure form of expression—seemed medieval, ignorant, and unfair, given that the Hawaiian religion had already been stamped out. I felt a lack of community and a distrust for any place in which I might find one. As a postcolonial inhabitant, I could never belong to the Hawaiian culture, no matter how much I valued it. Then, I was shocked to learn that Queen Ka’ahumanu herself had eliminated the Kapu system, a strict code of conduct in which women were inferior to men. Next went the Hawaiian religion. Queen Ka’ahumanu burned all the temples before turning to Christianity, hoping this religion would offer better opportunities for her people.

Community Essay (Continued)

I’m not sure what to make of this history. Should I view Queen Ka’ahumanu as a feminist hero, or another failure in her islands’ tragedy? Nothing is black and white about her story, but she did what she thought was beneficial to her people, regardless of tradition. From her story, I’ve learned to accept complexity. I can disagree with institutionalized religion while still believing in my neighbors. I am a product of this place and their presence. At UW, I plan to add to campus diversity through my experience, knowing that diversity comes with contradictions and complications, all of which should be approached with an open and informed mind.

UW Community Essay Example Analysis

This student also manages to weave in words from the prompt (“family,” “community,” “world,” “product of it,” “add to the diversity,” etc.). Moreover, the student picks one of the examples of community mentioned in the prompt, (namely, a religious group,) and deepens their answer by addressing the complexity inherent in the community they’ve been involved in. While the student displays an inner turmoil about their identity and participation, they find a way to show how they’d contribute to an open-minded campus through their values and intellectual rigor.

What’s Next

For more on supplemental essays and essay writing guides, check out the following articles:

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• College Essay

Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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1. LGBTQ Rights: Navigating Equality and Inclusivity

2. LGBTQ Rights: An Argumentative Landscape

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Essay On Social Issues Social Awareness

Table of Contents

Short Essay On Social Issues And Social Awareness

Social issues and social awareness refer to the various challenges and problems faced by society that require attention and action. These issues can range from poverty and homelessness to discrimination and inequality, and they have a significant impact on the lives of individuals and communities. In this essay, we will explore some of the most pressing social issues and the importance of social awareness.

• Poverty: Poverty is a major social issue that affects millions of people around the world. It refers to the lack of basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. People living in poverty often struggle to meet their basic needs and are more likely to suffer from health problems, malnutrition, and poor education.
• Homelessness: Homelessness is another social issue that affects many people, particularly in urban areas. Homeless individuals and families face numerous challenges, including a lack of access to basic services such as healthcare and education, and are at a higher risk of violence and exploitation.
• Discrimination and Inequality: Discrimination and inequality continue to be major social issues, particularly for marginalized groups such as women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. This can take many forms, such as gender and racial discrimination in the workplace, or unequal access to education and housing.
• Environmental Issues: Environmental issues, such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change, are increasingly becoming social issues as they have a significant impact on people’s health and well-being. They also affect future generations and the health of the planet.
• Mental Health: Mental health is another important social issue that often goes unaddressed. Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are common and can have a profound impact on individuals and communities. However, there is still a significant stigma surrounding mental health, making it difficult for people to access support and treatment.

The importance of social awareness cannot be overstated. Social awareness refers to a heightened understanding of social issues and their impact on society. This includes understanding the root causes of these issues, as well as their consequences and potential solutions. By raising awareness and promoting understanding, individuals and communities can come together to address these challenges and work towards creating a more equitable and just society.

In conclusion, social issues and social awareness are critical components of a healthy and vibrant society. By understanding and addressing the challenges faced by individuals and communities, we can work towards creating a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Long Essay On Social Issues Social Awareness

Social issues are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s world. From global health crises to the gender pay gap, it’s important to be aware of these issues and how our actions can affect them. In this article, we’ll discuss the different ways we can become socially aware and work towards creating a more equitable society. Read on to learn more about social awareness and why it matters!

Introduction to Social Issues and Social Awareness

There are many social issues that need awareness. Some people are not even aware of the issues that exist in society. It is important to be informed about social issues so that you can take action to make a difference. By being aware of social issues, you can also help to raise awareness and support those who are affected by these issues.

Some social issues include: poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, human trafficking, child abuse, and much more. There are many ways to get involved in social awareness. You can volunteer your time or donate money to organizations that support causes related to social issues. You can also raise awareness by sharing information about social issues with others.

Examples of Current Social Issues

There are many social issues that exist in today’s society. Some of these issues include:

-Racism -Sexism -Homophobia -Ageism -Classism -Ability/Disability discrimination -Ethnicity discrimination -Religious discrimination

These are just a few examples of the social injustices that still exist in our world today. It is important to be aware of these issues so that we can work together to try and resolve them.

Causes of Social Issues

There are many factors that can contribute to social issues. One of the most common is poverty. When people are struggling to make ends meet, they may resort to crime or other desperate measures in order to survive. This can create a vicious cycle that is hard to break out of.

Other social issues can be caused by a lack of education or opportunities. If people don’t have access to good schools or jobs, they may turn to illegal activities to make money. This can also lead to a cycle of poverty and crime.

Discrimination is another major factor that can contribute to social issues. If certain groups are treated unfairly, they may become alienated and resentful. This can cause them to engage in criminal or violent behavior as a way to lash out against those who have oppressed them.

Finally, natural disasters or other catastrophic events can also lead to social issues. When people lose their homes or livelihoods, they may become desperate and turn to crime or violence in order to survive. This can also create a cycle of poverty and desperation that is hard to break out of.

How Society Can Address Social Issues

There are many ways in which society can address social issues and social awareness. One way is through education. By educating people about the issues that exist in society, we can help to raise awareness and understanding about these issues. This can lead to changes in attitudes and behaviours, which can ultimately help to address the issues.

Another way in which society can address social issues is through legislation and policy change. By changing the laws and policies that govern our society, we can help to create a more just and equitable society. This can have a direct impact on the lives of those who are affected by social injustice, and can help to bring about long-term change.

There are many other ways in which society can address social issues. We can volunteer our time to support those who are affected by social problems. We can donate money to organisations that work to tackle social injustice. We can speak out against discrimination and bigotry. We can stand up for the rights of all people, regardless of their background or identity.

By working together, we can make a difference. We can create a fairer, more just society for everyone.

The Role of Government in Addressing Social Issues

The government has a vital role to play in addressing social issues. It is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens, and for providing services that promote the common good.

The government can address social issues directly, through policies and programs that seek to address the root causes of problems. It can also indirectly address social issues by investing in education, health care, and other areas that promote opportunity and upward mobility.

In recent years, the government has been increasingly focused on addressing social issues through direct intervention. This has included initiatives such as the Affordable Care Act, which seeks to provide universal health care coverage; the expansion of early childhood education; and the creation of job training programs.

While direct intervention by the government can be effective in addressing social issues, it is not always the best or most efficient solution. In some cases, private businesses and nonprofits are better positioned to address social needs. For example, many businesses offer employee assistance programs that provide counseling and other support services to employees dealing with personal problems. And nonprofit organizations often have expertise in specific areas such as housing or job placement that can be helpful in addressing social needs.

The most effective way for the government to address social issues is often to partner with private businesses and nonprofits. By collaborating with these organizations, the government can leverage their resources and expertise to more effectively solve problems.

In conclusion, when it comes to social awareness, we are responsible for creating a more informed and empathetic society. By educating ourselves on the issues that matter most, we can become proactive in making a positive change in our world. We must use our voices to support those who are not given the same opportunities as us and push for equitable access to resources for all. As members of a global community, it is up to us to take action and open minds so that social justice can be achieved.

Manisha Dubey Jha is a skilled educational content writer with 5 years of experience. Specializing in essays and paragraphs, she’s dedicated to crafting engaging and informative content that enriches learning experiences.

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The Most Impressive Social Issues Topics for Essay or Paper

Updated 20 Jun 2024

If you want to write an effective and engaging controversial essay, you definitely need to take into consideration the best social issue topics or  satire topics . We are all members of the society and community where we live, and the events and trends of this year have affected every one of us. This is why you may frequently find yourself faced with the task of writing about social topics in an academic paper, to show your understanding and awareness of the different social issues of today.

Writing research papers and essays or creating presentations is one of many steps to train you to be a functioning adult in your community. Because of this, you need to make an effort to be aware of current changes and trends. Some teens are so caught up in the digital world of online gaming and media that they don’t really pay attention to issues around them. Writing an assignment about current social topics in 2024 is a chance to open one’s eyes and increase one’s knowledge.

How to Write an Essay on Social Issues

Your professor or teacher will ask you to look for interesting social issues essay topics or problem solution essay topics for your upcoming assignment as part of your course work. Such assignments allow teens and young adults to express their opinions about the trendiest topics of 2024. Your classroom is a safe environment where you can discuss your thoughts without being judged; this is a chance you shouldn’t waste.

To write a perfect essay, follow these steps:

• Choose Your Topic Wisely.

Choosing a relevant 2024 social problem topic will pay off. It should cause some controversy and keep your audience interested. You could also easily research it to find enough evidence and proof to support your ideas. Check with your teacher or professor to ensure your topic is acceptable for 2024 and that it can be discussed at school or college.

To help you find a relevant topic, try searching trending hashtags of 2024 on media platforms or check your daily newspaper for news. Pay attention to international news as well. This is a good way to understand what is going on in different parts of the world and how it affects Americans living in the States.

Some relevant global social problems include income inequality (poverty), corruption, the rise in authoritarianism (erosion of democratic values), criminality, unsustainable development, and bullying in schools.

• Spend Time on Research

You should always look for academically proven and reliable sources that you can cite in your essay. Listing your opinions without sufficient logical support from outside sources is unacceptable.

Some students simply rely on the media for examples to include in their tasks. It is risky because the world of the media industry is affected by political influence and can be biased. It is recommended to rely on academically approved sources to find relevant examples.

• Support Your Opinion with Examples

Stay attentive to find relevant examples. Since you are discussing a current social topic, relevant examples are often readily available. Use examples to support your opinion and explain it. They can help make your point relatable and easier to understand.

However, some students simply rely on the media for examples to include in their papers. It is risky because politics often influence the media industry and can be biased. You must rely primarily on academically approved sources for relevant examples.

• Keep It Simple

Your essay is a chance to express your opinion and say what you believe about a current social issue or situation. That is why you must ensure you have used the right words to express your point of view. Use simple and relevant words to explain what you mean to avoid confusing your audience.

• Revise and Edit

Before submitting your assignment, you need must ensure it is flawless and error-free. Complete spelling and grammar checks to review your paper for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes — or give it to us, as we can do essay revisions for you. Writing errors could alter the meaning of your paper and confuse your readers.

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• Customized writing: 100% original, personalized content.
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What Are the Social Issues of Today? Top 12 Issues

As we live through the global pandemic, natural disasters worldwide, conversion to safe energy sources, and COVID-19 challenges, the list of relevant social issues in 2024 have also changed. Here are the top 12 social issues with relevant topics that you may consider for your essay:

• COVID-19 & Global Pandemic . Without a doubt, almost every sector of modern life has been affected by the global pandemic restrictions and the rules of social distancing. Even though countries seem to return to normal life, logistics and international trading still need to be enhanced. As an example of social topics dealing with this issue, consider writing about how the COVID-19 crisis affected a company or the entire industry.
• The Black Lives Matter Social Movement . It is hard to find anything that has marked the last two years regarding social importance. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has captured the entire world because the issues of racial prejudice are relevant as ever. Regarding possible topics, you can compare the BLM movement with the student protests in the 1970s or the Montgomery Bus Station protest.
• Green Energy Conversion. This social issue is mostly related to environmental problems, yet global conferences are dedicated to finding safe ways to convert all available energy to safe methods. Consider writing about the latest innovations in the solar energy sector and talk about wind turbines if you are majoring in Electrical Engineering. At the same time, you can write about school education and educating youngsters about our environment.
• The Presence of the U.S. Military Troops in Afghanistan . It is a sensitive social issue in the United States, as President Biden has announced that troops leaving Afghanistan in 2021. This social topic is quite important as it is not only a political issue but also a matter of national security.
• The Challenges of Remote Education. As we are making it through yet another year of distance learning with Skype and Zoom solutions for video conferences, the challenges of modern learning are evident. Consider writing about how the student habits and attitudes have changed in 2024 and think about what pros and cons of this issue you can explore.
• Arctic Pole Environmental Situation . The Arctic Pole Ice Shield is a social issue that became apparent as explorers and scientists from all fields of science started to reveal updated information. Regardless of your college course, you can approach this social issue through the prism of environmental protection, political bias, economics, marketing, and even the logistics that are also present in this sector.
• Global Pandemic & Vaccination . The subject of vaccination might be among the most discussed social issues today, yet it does not make it to the list of immediate issues because of the political games at play. For example, you can write about unequal distributions of vaccines to certain countries and investigate how politics manipulate this sensitive matter.
• Travel Restrictions . As the warm times are coming closer, most people think about traveling. Consider some business trips even if you are not up for leisure. Though the list of restrictions is changing all the time, and the number of countries that accept tourists without any limits is constantly growing compared to 2022, this issue is still discussed in 2024, which makes it a relevant social issue. Consider writing about new safety regulations and researching how COVID-19 has affected our travel routines and rules.
• Global Unemployment Peak . According to various statistics, the unemployment peak in April 2021 reached over 12.7% in the United States. The same thing will happen all over the world in 2024. You can write about the reasons for such a situation and discuss the presence of freelance specialists and people working remotely as an option.
• Supply Chain Diversification in Post COVID-19 Society . Undoubtedly, the most affected sector is the field of supply chain distribution. Diversification has become an issue since people who are limited in funds or face certain healthcare issues need proper help. You can choose an issue in your local community or write about why such a situation became possible.
• Increasing Political Polarization . Just remember to stay respectful as you write about politics. Regardless of your preferences and beliefs, it is hard to ignore an increasing political polarization, representing another social issue in 2024. You can consider writing about Russia and its external politics, India and the distribution of vaccines, or the United States with the latest political changes and innovations.
• Healthcare Bias in Modern Society . Unfortunately, this social problem became even more apparent in 2024 as the vaccinated people received more social rights. Still, only some people all over the world can become vaccinated. At the same time, one should consider writing about other illnesses and healthcare specialists that are not precisely related to respiratory diseases. Consider it as one of the starting points as you write about healthcare bias social issues.

Of course, you may also consider the problem of evolving employee benefits or how people receive various labor compensation or become fired for no reason. Meanwhile, think about the media sector and the challenges of actors and musicians who are currently left without the means to represent their art. Choose something that inspires you and explain why it is important.

List of Social Issues for Essay Writing in 2024

Finding relevant subjects or interesting presentation topics for academic assignments is quite challenging. You must ensure you’ve picked an adequate topic to submit a high-quality essay. You must submit flawless, excellently written essays if you want a degree from a reputable American college or university. Choosing compelling social issues topics can be challenging, but an essay writing service can help you develop and articulate your ideas effectively. Here is a comprehensive list of social issues to browse for ideas on your next academic project.

Need more writing assistance?

Connect with our top writers and receive a paper sample on social issues crafted to your needs.

Social Justice Essay Topics:

• Is ageism the new racism?
• Deprivation of health care: Dealing with consequences.
• Are convicts still punished after serving time?
• Are labor laws fair?
• How is society viewing domestic violence towards men?
• Discrimination against pregnant women.
• Fat shaming in the job market.
• Overcoming poverty-based discrimination in our society.
• Do recovering addicts deal with social injustice?
• Are Arabs and Middle Easterners subject to discrimination?

Pornography Essay Topics:

• How to deal with pornography addiction.
• Dealing with child pornography.
• Is consent really valid in the porn industry?
• Do pornstars suffer from society shaming?
• Why do pornstars commit suicide?
• Dealing with leaked personal pornography videos.
• The pressure in the porn industry.
• Pornstars who crossed over to other industries.
• Does watching porn damage family life?
• How to know that you are addicted to porn?

Read also: 200+  Good Argumentative Essay Topics

Social Science Topics:

• Advertisements from a Social Science perspective.
• African American stereotypes.
• Social aspects of feminism.
• Polygamy in the US.
• A world without leadership.
• Organizational behavior and Social Sciences.
• Current problems and future trends of Social Sciences.
• Religion and Social Sciences in the modern world.
• Can Social Science be the way to understand society?
• Have gender roles changed in the US?

Migration and Immigration Topics:

• How did the Irish Diaspora change life in the United States?
• Refugees across the world.
• Building a wall between Mexico and the US.
• Palestinian refugees in Jordan.
• Forced migration.
• History of Australian immigration.
• Deportation of refugees and illegal immigrants.
• What are the factors behind illegal immigration?
• Egyptian illegal immigrants in Italy.
• How can immigrants integrate into American society?

Racism Essay Topics:

• The civil rights movement: a long struggle for freedom.
• Racism in America: decades of failed reforms and police brutality.
• Systemic racism in America: racial discrimination, inequality, and injustice.
• Unconscious racism: the psychology behind implicit racial bias and discrimination.
• The impact of racism and racial violence on mental health.
• Racism in literature and art: teaching children about social justice.
• The impact of racism on the future of modern society.
• Racism: the origins, causes, effects, and consequences.
• The social and economic impacts of racial segregation in America.
• The economic and psychological impacts of racism in the workplace.

LGBT Topic Ideas:

• The economic, social, and cultural factors influencing the LGBT community.
• LGBT pride: diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Marriage and family: the challenges and impacts of same-sex marriage.
• Mental health in the LGBT community: key challenges and concerns.
• The global divorce rates of same-sex couples vs. heterosexual couples.
• LGBT in schools: the impacts of homophobic bullying and discrimination.
• Gender roles in society: changing views and implications for families.
• The religious and cultural barriers to LGBT equality and inclusion.
• LGBT and social media: the sociological impact of social platforms.
• Same-sex couples and the psychological influence on their children.

Essay Examples Relevant to LGBT

• Same-sex Marriage

Peace and War Topics:

• Children of war.
• How do the economics of war affect society?
• Who paid the price for the War on Terrorism?
• Ethnic cleansing.
• Is society paying enough attention to peace education?
• Role of women in war.
• How did the war in Syria affect other countries?
• War crimes across the world.
• Historical account of the genocide in Armenia.
• Role of media in wartime.

Discrimination and Prejudice Topics:

• Common stereotypes in American society.
• Racial profiling and its effects.
• What is discrimination in sports?
• Reverse discrimination.
• Hate speech on social media.
• Segregation in the US.
• White privilege in the media.
• Discrimination in the Middle East.
• Sex discrimination in the workplace.
• Discrimination against gay people.

Feminism Essay Topics:

• Domestic violence and challenges to feminism in the 21st century
• The #Metoo movement and its global impact on gender equity
• The four waves of feminism: a history of the movements
• Women’s empowerment: gender equality and women’s rights in modern society
• Feminism throughout history: the most significant feminist movements and ideologies
• Men in contemporary feminist movements: understanding their roles and responsibilities
• The controversial issues of feminism in contemporary women’s rights movements
• The negative impact and perception of modern feminism on society
• Women’s career development: the role and impact of gender stereotypes
• The status of women in ancient civilizations vs. modern society

Abortion Essay Topics:

• Legalizing abortion: the effect on the birth rate and marriage
• The social, psychological, and psychomedical effects of legal abortion
• The moral, legal, and social aspects of pregnancy termination
• Abortion across different cultures: the history of attitudes and practices
• The effects of religious beliefs on abortion and contraception use
• Should men have a voice in the abortion debate?
• Life after abortion: the psychological effects and mental health controversy
• The social and psychological impact of an abortion ban
• Birth control and abortion: women’s fight for reproductive rights
• Teen pregnancy and abortion: health concerns and parental consent

Cultural Property:

• Ownership of stolen antiques.
• Should museums in Europe return ancient artifacts home?
• Stealing cultural heritage: Examples in history.
• Protection of cultural heritage in times of war and peace.
• Art looted in wartime.
• The cultural heritage of indigenous people.
• The difference between the Western and the Eastern cultures.
• Selling copied artifacts.
• Cultural heritage in Asia.
• What is the importance of preserving cultural heritage?

Illiteracy Essay Topics:

• Digital illiteracy.
• 5 Problems related to illiteracy.
• Illiteracy in the US.
• Emotional illiteracy and its effect on family life.
• How can financial illiteracy harm you?
• Adult illiteracy and how to overcome it.
• Can social media help overcome the problem of illiteracy?
• Poverty and illiteracy.
• How can literacy change people’s lives? 3 amazing examples.
• Women illiteracy in African countries.

Violence Topics:

• The effect of political turmoil on domestic violence.
• Ethnic profiling and violence.
• Movies and violence.
• Promoting rape culture.
• Dealing with social media bullying.
• Aggression in children.
• Abuse in the world of sports.
• Child abuse prevention.
• Gun control in the US.
• Gangs and violence in Miami.

Humanity Topics:

• Humanity through the ages: a brief history of human evolution
• Human development: the evolution of physical, cognitive, and behavioral change
• Humanity’s journey into the future: sustainability and existential risk prevention
• The meaning of humanity: the role of religion in society
• The effects of negative human behavior on the natural environment
• The humanity of humans: how humane are we, really?
• Acts of kindness and humane actions.
• The human nature of violence: aggressive behavior in human evolution
• Social movements in the modern society: a human rights perspective
• Cultural diversity: key differences and similarities in human values

Consumption and Development Topics:

• Overconsumption in America.
• The culture of consumption.
• The power of buyers in different industries.
• Water consumption in Africa.
• History of sustainable development in the US.
• Consumption of alcohol.
• Sustainable consumption of meat and fish: Its effect on the environment.
• Children and consumption of fast food.
• The dynamics of consumption in the US market.
• How can businesses influence consumption trends?

Didn't find ideas? Read: 150+ Best Sociology Topics

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• > Journals
• > Journal of Social Policy
• > Volume 12 Issue 2
• > Social Need Revisited*

Article contents

Social need revisited *.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2009

Considerable debate has taken place as to the nature of social need and ways in which it can best be identified in individual people, but little attention has focussed on the way assessments of need are used in the process of policy formation. The article takes Jonathan Bradshaw's commonly quoted taxonomy of social need and assesses its strengths and weaknesses for use in a practical policy making setting, that of assessment of need for sheltered housing for elderly people by a district housing authority. Some fundamental problems associated with Bradshaw's approach are then discussed, together with those arising from use of a term such as need in the process of policy formation.

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• Volume 12, Issue 2
• Susan Clayton
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279400012617

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Why we need to talk about teens, social media and mental health

Michaeleen Doucleff

Jane Greenhalgh

Regina G. Barber

Rebecca Ramirez

Liz Metzger

In 2009, only about half of teens said they used social media every day. By 2022, 95% of teens said they used some social media — and about a third say they use it constantly, a poll from Pew Research Center found . Daniel de la Hoz/Getty Images hide caption

In 2009, only about half of teens said they used social media every day. By 2022, 95% of teens said they used some social media — and about a third say they use it constantly, a poll from Pew Research Center found .

Rates of depression and anxiety have risen among teens over the last decade. Amid this ongoing mental health crisis, the American Psychological Association issued guidelines for parents to increase protection for teens online last year.

In this encore episode, NPR science correspondent Michaeleen Doucleff looks into the data on how that change has impacted the mental health of teenagers. In her reporting, she found that the seismic shift of smartphones and social media has re-defined how teens socialize, communicate and even sleep.

In 2009, about half of teens said they were using social media daily, reported psychologist Jean Twenge . And by 2022 , 95% of teens said they used some social media, and about a third said they use it constantly.

We want to hear the science questions that keep you up at night. Send us an email at [email protected] .

Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts .

This episode was produced by Jane Greenhalgh with Liz Metzger. It was edited by Jane Greenhalgh and our managing producer, Rebecca Ramirez. Michaeleen Doucleff checked the facts. Our audio engineers were Neisha Heinis and Hans Copeland.

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The Strongest U.S. Healthcare Organizations Invest in Social Capital

• Thomas H. Lee
• Nell Buhlman

The value created when teams work well together is a self-sustaining resource built on mutual respect.

Social capital —the value gained when people work well together — is just as, if not more, important than human or financial capital. At a time, when financial and human capital are in short supply, it is critical that healthcare leaders focus on building social capital to improve performance and gain competitive advantage. This article explains what it takes to build social capital and how to measure it.

Being in the business of providing care means spending a lot of time thinking about the human element of the work. After all, people are at the heart of everything that matters most in healthcare — both those receiving care and those working to provide it. That’s human capital.

• Thomas H. Lee , MD, is the chief medical officer of PG Forsta, a leading provider of experience measurement, data analytics, and insights that help companies in complex industries better understand and better serve their stakeholders. He is a practicing internist and a professor (part time) of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a professor of health policy and management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
• Nell Buhlman is the chief administrative officer and head of strategy at PG Forsta, a leading provider of experience measurement, data analytics, and insights that help companies in complex industries better understand and better serve their stakeholders. She is also a member of Lifepoint Health’s board of directors.

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A critical analysis of the complex health and social care needs of an adult health service user., popular essay topics.

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Social Security's 2025 COLA: There's Good News Ahead for Retirees

• Social Security's cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are based on third-quarter inflation data.
• Though initial estimates are calling for a smaller COLA in 2025 than in 2024, there's a silver lining retirees should know about.
• Motley Fool Issues Rare “All In” Buy Alert

We don't know exactly what next year's raise will look like, but there's reason to be hopeful.

Many seniors get most or all of their retirement income from Social Security. Because of this, the program's annual cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, are extremely important.

The purpose of the Social Security COLA is to help ensure that benefits keep pace with inflation. And those COLAs are calculated based on inflation data -- specifically, from the third quarter of the year.

Image source: Getty Images.

Based on what we know so far, it's looking like 2025's Social Security COLA will be smaller than the raise seniors received at the start of 2024. But there's some very positive news buried in that projection.

How Social Security COLAs are calculated

Social Security COLAs are tied directly to increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). When there's an increase in the CPI-W during the third quarter of the year, compared to the previous year, Social Security benefits will go up. When there's no increase or a decrease, Social Security benefits will stay the same. They can't decrease from one year to the next.

It's worth noting that some senior advocates feel that the CPI-W isn't a great means of measuring Social Security COLAs. To that end, an alternate measure has been proposed -- the CPI-E, or Consumer Price Index for the Elderly.

An index like this might more accurately reflect the costs that Social Security recipients face, as they might differ substantially from the costs incurred by clerical workers and urban wage earners. And let's also not gloss over the "urban" part. Not all retirees live in urban areas, and many specifically avoid them to keep their living costs low.

But let's get back to the CPI-W. Based on initial inflation data, the current 2025 Social Security COLA estimate is 2.63% . That's below the 3.2% boost retirees got at the start of 2024.

However, a 2.63% COLA is by no means the smallest one on record. And that number has the potential to change, since we're only in the middle of the year's third quarter and don't know what inflation has in store just yet.

But the main reason there's good news on the Social Security COLA front is that a smaller raise is indicative of shrinking inflation. Seniors are now paying less for things like groceries, utilities, and gas. If that trend continues, seniors might still end up benefiting financially, even if 2025's COLA isn't so generous, 

Social Security recipients saw their benefits rise by 3.2% at the start of the current year. But if inflation is already easing, it means seniors are now enjoying some relief.

We'll need to wait and see

The Social Security Administration won't announce 2025's COLA until October. Until then, seniors will have to sit tight and be patient.

But even if next year's COLA isn't as large as 2024's, it's not necessarily a bad thing. It's actually quite reasonable to spin that as a good thing because of the positive impact of cooling inflation on seniors' day-to-day purchases.

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One way social work researchers can better understand community needs—and move the field forward

by Matt Shipman, North Carolina State University

Researchers are calling on the social work community to begin incorporating a methodology called "discrete choice experiments" (DCEs) into their research, to better understand the needs and preferences of key stakeholders. This technique is well established in other fields but is rarely used in social work.

The paper, " How to Use Discrete Choice Experiments to Capture Stakeholder Preferences in Social Work Research ," is published in the Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research .

"Social workers need to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders, from policy makers to the people who use social services ," says Alan Ellis, an associate professor of social work at North Carolina State University and corresponding author of a paper introducing social work researchers to the DCE methodology.

"But social work, as a research discipline, has not identified a standard technique for eliciting the preferences of those stakeholders—even though this is a critical issue," Ellis says.

"Although traditional survey methods can be used to evaluate stakeholder perspectives, the DCE is one of several methodologies that were specifically designed to assess the degree to which people prioritize one thing over another. In this paper, we propose that social work researchers adopt DCEs as a robust tool for capturing stakeholder preferences on any number of issues."

In a DCE, researchers ask participants to complete a series of choice tasks: hypothetical situations in which each participant is presented with alternative scenarios and selects one or more.

"For example, social work researchers may want to know how parents and other caregivers prioritize different aspects of mental health treatment when choosing services for their children," Ellis says. "A DCE can explore this question by presenting scenarios that include different types of mental health care providers, treatment methods, costs, locations and so on. Caregivers' stated choices in these scenarios can provide a lot of information about their priorities."

DCEs were first developed by marketing researchers and are now widely used in fields ranging from transportation to health care.

"We know that DCEs effectively capture preferences on a wide variety of subjects," Ellis says. "We simply want to begin using them more consistently to address issues that are important to stakeholders in social work.

"From a pure research standpoint, having a better understanding of stakeholder needs and preferences can move the field forward by helping us develop better research questions and better studies," says Ellis. "Beyond that, having a better understanding of our clients' preferences and goals will make us better social workers. Adopting DCEs can strengthen the link between social work research and practice—and ground our research , policy, and practice in the values that are important to the people we serve.

"I'm optimistic that DCEs could help us collaborate with stakeholders to effect positive change."

The paper was co-authored by Qiana Cryer-Coupet of Georgia State University, Bridget Weller of Wayne State University, Kirsten Howard and Rakhee Raghunandan of the University of Sydney, and Kathleen Thomas of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Provided by North Carolina State University

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Rambling Trump, Musk interview marred by tech issues

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Russia calls out Ukraine allies at UN for silence on Kursk assault

Russia criticized Western allies of Ukraine at the United Nations on Tuesday for not condemning Kyiv's incursion into the Russian region of Kursk, accusing Ukrainian forces of killing civilians and questioning the goals of the cross-border assault.

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Katie Couric: Network Newscasts Need to Better Reflect America

By Katie Couric

Ms. Couric is a journalist and author and the founder of Katie Couric Media .

Norah O’Donnell recently announced that she will be stepping down as anchor of “CBS Evening News” after the election, after five years at the helm. I know her tenure must have been both exhilarating and challenging — seeing a network anchor wearing lipstick and earrings might still be slightly jarring to those viewers who assume that authority figures have to look like Walter Cronkite.

I cheered Ms. O’Donnell as she carried out her duties with intelligence and grace. I was proud of the fact that she tackled topics that were especially important to women, such as sexual assault in the military, and that her work helped prompt the Pentagon to institute wide-ranging reforms. I appreciated her focus on the long-term effects of Covid on women. I watched her interview powerful women chief executives and the four highest-ranking women in the military, all of whom were four-star generals and admirals. I knew viewers were seeing these stories because Norah was the driving force behind telling them.

The same week Ms. O’Donnell revealed she would be leaving the anchor desk to focus on conducting high-profile interviews for CBS, the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team was crushing it at the Paris Olympic Games. Like so many watching, I marveled at the incredible athleticism of these young women, as well as at their diversity. The team looked like America, and I found that exhilarating. Equally exciting was the fact that this was the first Olympics in history where there were as many women as men competing. We’ve come a long way. And I couldn’t stop watching an Instagram post of a 5-year-old Black gymnast on the balance beam in her living room, performing walkovers and dreaming of becoming an Olympian one day. Wow, I thought — this is why representation matters.

We’re also in the midst of a campaign that could result in the election of the first woman president, and first woman of color as president. It’s a potentially historic story — one that needs a diverse group of journalists covering it.

So it was more than a little disappointing to read that Ms. O’Donnell would be replaced by two men, John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois. Don’t get me wrong: I know, like and respect these two journalists. But soon, on the big three networks, there will be four male anchors. Yes, the talented Margaret Brennan will be contributing stories from the Washington bureau for CBS, but the two people who will be greeting Americans watching the CBS evening newscast will be men.

More important, the three people behind the scenes, making most of the editorial decisions, will be three white men: Bill Owens, Guy Campanile and Jerry Cipriano. Mr. Cipriano was my right-hand writer during my tenure on “Evening News.” I loved working with him and he always had my back.

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