PSY3031

Science of Intimate Relationships

MSIS: M00848866

Why are romantic relationships good for our health and well being ?

It has been suggested that the "need to belong" is a basic human motivator, based on

people's need to feel linked to others in long-lasting, intimate relationships (Baumeister &

Leary, 1995). Specifically, romantic relationships may have a special and significant

association with subjective well-being. Attachment theory, introduced by Bowlby (1973;

1980), offers a key framework for understanding romantic relationships. This theory, initially

focused on parent-child relationships, suggests that adults can also form attachment patterns

with romantic partners. Just as a mother serves as the primary attachment figure during

childhood, a romantic partner may fulfil a similar role in adulthood (Hazan & Shaver, 1987;

Prager, 1995). An attachment figure is an individual whose emotional accessibility provides a

sense of safety and solace during times of stress (Bowlby, 1982). Typically, the romantic
partner serves as the primary attachment figure for adults (Hazan & Shaver, 1988; Simpson

& Rholes, 2015). Marriage has been associated with reduced psychological distress and

increased well-being in adulthood (Diener, Gohm, Suh, & Oishi, 2000; Efklides, Kalaitzidou,

& Chankin, 2003; Glenn & Weaver, 1979; Holder, 2012; Wu & Hart, 2002). Even before

marriage, romantic relationships contribute to one's overall sense of happiness and fulfilment

(Campbell, Simpson, Boldry, & Kashy, 2005; Dush & Amato, 2005; Keyes & Waterman,

2003). However, it's not just being in a relationship that matters; the quality of the

relationship also plays a significant role in well-being (Myers, 2000). Considering the

importance of maintaining closeness in romantic relationships during young adulthood from a

developmental perspective, it's not surprising that both relationship status and the quality of

romantic partnerships are linked to physical and mental health. Relationship quality and

communication within a relationship influence each other in both directions, according to

Farooqi (2014). Positive communication tends to lead to higher satisfaction for partners, and

vice versa, while negative communication decreases satisfaction. In a study involving older

German men recovering from prostate cancer surgery, Knoll et al. (2012) found that

receiving supportive messages from romantic partners predicted more frequent pelvic floor

exercises, especially for patients in happier relationships. However, patients with lower

relationship satisfaction who received these messages reported more negative feelings.

Tucker (2002) suggests that the quality of a relationship can shape how people perceive

messages related to social control. In satisfying and intimate relationships, compliance

strategies are likely to be effective, positively influencing health behaviors, whereas negative

emotions may arise in low-quality relationships. Previous research consistently shows that

being married is associated with fewer mental health issues, less stress, reduced substance

abuse, fewer physical health problems, and even lower mortality rates (Gove, 1972; Horwitz,

White, & Howell-White, 1996; Umberson, 1987; Waite, 1995). Before getting married,
romantic relationships generally provide a lot of happiness, intimacy, companionship, and

overall well-being for young adults as well (Berry & Willingham, 1997; Demir, 2010; Diener

et al., 2000; Johnson, Kent, & Yale, 2012). It's not just whether you're in a relationship that

affects your well-being, but also how good that relationship is and how happy you are with it.

Studies have shown that the quality of a romantic relationship is linked to higher levels of

happiness, life satisfaction, and positive feelings, and lower levels of negative emotions

(Dush & Amato, 2005; Dyrdal, Roysamb, Nes, & Vitterso, 2011; Love & Holder, 2015).

Interestingly, being satisfied with your relationship is associated with greater overall

happiness, regardless of whether you're single or in a relationship (Dush & Amato, 2005).

Sexual satisfaction plays a significant role in the quality of a relationship and overall well-

being. Research by Sprecher and Cate (2004) indicates that sexual satisfaction is closely tied

to relationship stability and quality. Changes in sexual satisfaction can also affect relationship

satisfaction, love, and commitment, as found by Sprecher (2002). Effective communication

and sexual expression are key factors linking sexual and relationship satisfaction (Sprecher,

Metts, Burleson, Hatfield, & Thompson, 1995). Given that intimacy is a vital aspect of

romantic relationships, it's not surprising that sexual satisfaction matters. Being able to talk

openly with a partner about sexual needs and desires is crucial for both sexual and

relationship satisfaction, highlighting the importance of overall intimacy. Apart from these

factors, Demir (2008) discovered that emotional security and companionship are key

predictors of happiness among emerging adult couples. These factors, along with qualities

like reliable alliance, help, self-validation, and intimacy, collectively contribute to about 13%

of the variation in happiness. In adulthood, commitment, trust, and intimacy become crucial

elements in romantic relationships, strongly associated with subjective well-being. Secure

attachment styles, as identified by Banse (2004) and Simpson (1990), are particularly linked

to high-quality romantic relationships. Individuals with secure attachment styles tend to

vital for overall relationship happiness and well-being. Conversely, insecure attachment

styles, such as avoidant and anxious attachment, have been consistently linked to lower levels

of well-being (La Guardia et al., 2000; Li & Fung, 2014; Schiffrin, 2014; Van Buren &

Cooley, 2002). Romantic relationships play a crucial role in contributing to well-being for

various reasons. Firstly, during emerging adulthood, successfully managing romantic

relationships is seen as a primary developmental milestone (Arnett, 2000; Roisman, Masten,

Coatsworth, & Tellegen, 2004). Happiness is often tied to achievement in areas relevant to

the current life stage, and maintaining intimacy with a romantic partner is particularly

important during this phase (Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005). Failing to establish and

sustain such intimacy during early adulthood may lead to lower well-being, self-esteem, and

psychological health. Studies have even linked delaying dating until early adulthood with

negative outcomes, including poorer psychosocial functioning (Lehnart, Neyer, & Eccles,

2010; Rauer, Pettit, Lansford, Bates, & Dodge, 2013). Moreover, Romantic relationships hold

significant importance in the development of our personalities, particularly during the phase

of emerging adulthood. This developmental stage is characterized by the exploration of

romantic possibilities and the acquisition of relational knowledge (Arnett, 2000, 2007;

Collins & van Dulmen, 2006). For many individuals in this stage, romantic relationships

assume a central role in providing emotional and social support, sometimes surpassing the

significance of relationships with friends or family members (Meeus, Branje, van der Valk, &

de Wied, 2007). Attachment theory has become a fundamental framework for comprehending

romantic relationships among both young people and adults (Dykas & Cassidy, 2011). Its

principles stem from the relational dynamics established during infancy between the infant

and caregiver. When the caregiver effectively meets the infant's needs and responds

appropriately, the infant tends to develop a secure attachment. Consequently, an individual's

exhibiting secure attachment tend to report higher levels of psychological well-being

compared to those with insecure attachment (La Guardia, Ryan, Couchman, & Deci, 2000).

Spanier and Lewis (1980) suggest that relationship quality involves several aspects and

assessments, including the evaluation of relationship adjustment and satisfaction (Glenn,

2003). Research by Heyman, Sayers, and Bellack (1994) indicates a strong agreement

between measures of relationship adjustment and satisfaction. Bradbury, Fincham, and Beach

(2000) emphasise the substantial scientific focus on relationship satisfaction due to its

profound implications for individual and familial welfare. Indeed, the idea that relationship

satisfaction affects self-esteem is intuitively appealing, given the presumption that intimate

relationships serve as a significant contributor to self-esteem (Harter, 2006; Swann & Bosson,

2010). This hypothesis aligns with the notion that relationship quality, including satisfaction,

holds considerable sway over personal well-being and sense of self-worth (Spanier & Lewis,

1980; Glenn, 2003; Heyman, Sayers, & Bellack, 1994; Bradbury, Fincham, & Beach,

2000).Individuals in fulfilling relationships tend to report elevated levels of subjective well-

being (Kamp Dush & Amato, 2005). A comprehensive analysis revealed a notable correlation

between the quality of romantic relationships and overall well-being (Proulx, Helms, &

Buehler, 2007). Consistent findings across various studies underscore the link between

relationship satisfaction and well-being (Cao, Wang, & Wang, 2020; Love & Holder, 2016;

Londero-Santos, Pereira Neto, & Natividade, 2017). To grasp individuals' perspectives on

romantic relationships, it could prove valuable to explore their sense of self-efficacy. Self-

efficacy refers to the confidence in one's ability to influence actions or situations to attain a

desired outcome (Bandura, 1997). It can be conceptualised as a cognitive process, where

one's beliefs play a pivotal role in shaping behaviours and actions. Considering the
importance of romantic relationships for individuals in the emerging adult stage, it is

probable that self-efficacy within such relationships could serve as a predictor of well-being.

In fact, Riggio and colleagues (2013) identified a correlation between self-efficacy in

romantic relationships and self-esteem, a facet of well-being. Furthermore, Past research has

shown that experiencing romantic love, particularly intense affection, can activate the

sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) pathways

within the body's endocrine system. Glucose is released into the bloodstream as a response to

activation of the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal

(HPA) pathways (Sapolsky et al., 2000). These investigations suggest that the early stages of

romantic love, characterised by strong positive emotions, have notable physiological impacts

(Kim & Hatfield, 2004). Additionally, separate studies propose that encouraging individuals

in established relationships to contemplate their love for their partner can have a revitalising

effect, instilling them with psychological vigor and encouraging a heightened inclination

towards exploration (Luke, Sedikides, & Carnelley, 2012). The discovery that reflecting on

one's partner generates positive stress responses aligns with research linking contented,

secure relationships to psychological vitality and a propensity for exploration (Luke et al.,

2012). It appears that when individuals engage in partner reflection while feeling content, it

triggers physiological responses consistent with the notion that romantic partners serve as

secure bases, encouraging individuals to explore their surroundings. Research indicates that

healthy romantic connections can help people manage psychosis, which is sometimes thought

of as a degenerative illness (Bürgy, 2008). Raising one's sense of self-worth may make it less

likely that odd experiences will be seen as external, which would stop the cycle of psychotic

symptoms. Furthermore, according to Simon (2014), a spouse can offer financial, practical,

and emotional support, which may improve adaptability to stress. Relationships can provide

comfort and a sense of purpose to others in addition to social support (Frech & Williams,
2007, p. 159), that can lessen feelings of loneliness. Those who are experiencing psychosis

should be especially concerned about loneliness because it has been linked to important

symptoms such as internalized stigma, depression, anxiety, negative attitudes toward others,

and overall quality of life (Lamster, Lincoln, Nittel, Rief, & Mehl, 2017). Likewise,

DeVylder, Lehmann, and Chen (2015) discovered that being single or previously married was

linked to an increased probability of encountering psychotic symptoms in the preceding year,

while being married was identified as a significant predictor of symptom remission

(DeVylder et al., 2015). Similar research indicates that single adult patients diagnosed with

schizophrenia are approximately three times more likely to experience a diminished quality

of life compared to their married counterparts (Cardoso et al., 2005). Moreover, individuals

who are married tend to have fewer and shorter hospital admissions (Boyer et al., 2011;

Chen, Collins, Anderson, McKenzie, & Kidd, 2017). Conversely, if relationships are

characterised by abuse or toxicity, they can serve as stressors, potentially triggering or

exacerbating distressing experiences. This is supported by literature associating intimate

partner violence with heightened odds of experiencing psychotic symptoms like paranoia,

hallucinations, thought insertion, and unusual experiences (Boyda, McFeeters, & Shevlin,

2015; Shah, Von Mach, Fedina, Link, & DeVylder, 2018). These findings are consistent with

previous research highlighting the significant role of relationship quality and satisfaction.

Elevated levels of perceived social support from romantic partners have been linked to

various physiological indicators of health. These include mitigated age-related declines in

cardiovascular function during rest (Uchino, Cacioppo, Malarkey, Glaser, & Kiecolt-Glaser,

1995), reduced levels of catecholamines and cortisol (Heffner, Kiecolt-Glaser, Loving,

Glaser, & Malarkey, 2004; Seeman, Berkman, Blazer, & Rowe, 1994), decreased cortisol

levels in women with metastatic breast cancer (Turner-Cobb, Sephton, Koopman, Blake-

Mortimer, & Spiegel, 2000), fewer somatic symptoms (Stadler et al., 2012), and improved
immune functioning, particularly for individuals facing chronic stress (Esterling, Kiecolt-

Glaser, Bodnar, & Glaser, 1994). Collectively, these findings suggest that perceiving higher

levels of social support while dealing with moderate-to-severe stress can diminish the adverse

effects of such stressors on individuals' health (also see Lakey, 2013; Wills & Fegan, 2001).

To summarise, the research outlined in this article emphasises the substantial impact of

romantic relationships on individuals' health and well-being. By examining various

physiological markers and psychological outcomes, the evidence consistently demonstrates

that higher levels of perceived social support from romantic partners correlate with improved

health outcomes, including cardiovascular function, stress hormone levels, somatic

symptoms, and immune functioning. These findings underscore the significant role that

romantic relationships play in buffering individuals against the negative effects of stress and

promoting overall health and resilience. Therefore, cultivating and maintaining strong

romantic relationships is not only vital for emotional fulfillment but also crucial for

supporting physical health and well-being.

References

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