by Lorna Carmela A. Protasio, M.D
The quality of our relationships can determine our physical health. It can influence the development and management of chronic diseases, determine whether or not we are depressed, and influence our overall well being. Good relationships promote a person’s happiness so that it spills over to others. Good relationships give us more satisfaction in life and a desire to live longer. On the other hand, conflict in relationships can have a negative effect on our health. Interestingly, studies show that women who experience conflicts in their relationships are more affected by them than men are. Here are some ways that poor relationships can hurt or help our health.
Overall health
Studies have shown that the marital stress affects a woman’s health as negatively as more traditional health risk factors, such as physical inactivity, smoking, drug addiction and unprotected sex. Marital conflict has also been linked to immune system disruptions.
Heart problems
A stressful relationship can leave us heart broken and vulnerable to heart failure. Patients with the most severe heart diseases and poorest marriages had the highest risk of dying over a 4 year period!
Mental health
A committed relationship is good for mental health. A difficult and strained relationship has the opposite effect. Negative behaviors, such as hostility and criticism, during conflict in relationships have been linked to negative impact on mental health.
Stress
According to a 2003 review in the Journal of Physiology and Behavior, distressed marriages are a major source of stress for couples. In fact, unhappily married people are generally worse off in heir well being than people who are not in a relationship at all. Domestic strain can also influence how well people function at work. Those with more marital concerns reported greater stress throughout the day. On the other hand, a good relationship enhances emotional balance and personal productivity.
Disease recovery
Relationship conflict and distress are associated with the severity of disease symptoms and the degree of recovery from illness. For example, marital distress was associated with worse recovery for breast cancer survivors, according to a 2009 study published in the journal Cancer. Patients in a distressed relationship not only had continuously heightened levels of stress, they also eventually showed more impaired functioning compared with those in stable, non-distressed relationships.
In addition, patients dissatisfied with their marriage were also less compliant with medical regimens, such as adhering to healthy dietary habits. Marital distress was associated with longer recovery time.
