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A bad marriage can make you sick
Filed under: Just For Moms, Just For Dads, Health & Safety: Babies, Sex
The reasons why people stay in bad relationships are as varied as people themselves. Some stick it out for the sake of the children, some are afraid to be alone and some just can't financially make on their own. Whatever the reasons for staying in a union fraught with negativity and conflict, there is at least one good reason to consider doing something about it: your health.
A new study has found that those who suffer in marriages and other close relationships marked by negativity are at higher risk of developing heart disease. Roberto De Vogli, PhD, a researcher at University College London, led the study which involved 9,011 British civil servants with an average age in the mid 40's. They were asked to answer questions about their close personal relationships, with a focus on their primary relationship.
With more than 64 percent listing their spouse as their primary relationship, they answered questions about their interactions with those closest to them and the amount of emotional and practical support they received in these relationships. During a 12-year follow-up period, the researchers tracked the incidents of heart disease in those who completed the questionnaires. Of 8,499 respondents, 589 men and women reported developing heart disease.
While they found no link between the amount of practical and emotional support received and those who developed heart disease, they did find a connection with those who were in highly negative relationships. Those in a conflict-ridden marriage or close friendship were 34 percent more likely to develop a heart problem than those who were not.
De Vogli theorizes that the higher risk of heart problems are due a person's mental replaying of negative interactions. "It can activate emotional responses, including depression or hostility," he says. While the increased risk was found to be the same for men and women, the results suggest that those in lower-grade jobs were more likely to have negative relationships. Even more interesting was the finding that people who were never married were less likely to have negative close relationships.
A new study has found that those who suffer in marriages and other close relationships marked by negativity are at higher risk of developing heart disease. Roberto De Vogli, PhD, a researcher at University College London, led the study which involved 9,011 British civil servants with an average age in the mid 40's. They were asked to answer questions about their close personal relationships, with a focus on their primary relationship.
With more than 64 percent listing their spouse as their primary relationship, they answered questions about their interactions with those closest to them and the amount of emotional and practical support they received in these relationships. During a 12-year follow-up period, the researchers tracked the incidents of heart disease in those who completed the questionnaires. Of 8,499 respondents, 589 men and women reported developing heart disease.
While they found no link between the amount of practical and emotional support received and those who developed heart disease, they did find a connection with those who were in highly negative relationships. Those in a conflict-ridden marriage or close friendship were 34 percent more likely to develop a heart problem than those who were not.
De Vogli theorizes that the higher risk of heart problems are due a person's mental replaying of negative interactions. "It can activate emotional responses, including depression or hostility," he says. While the increased risk was found to be the same for men and women, the results suggest that those in lower-grade jobs were more likely to have negative relationships. Even more interesting was the finding that people who were never married were less likely to have negative close relationships.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
10-18-2007 @ 12:14PM
Joy said...I hate it when people advertise on here! Go somewhere else!
Reply
10-18-2007 @ 8:22PM
DaMoKi Bob said...Joy,
Talking to yourself, or your imaginary friend?
Sandy,
I've been married for 37 years and pretty happy except for that time I forgot our anniversary in 1989,(never forgot again).
I do understand why the stress of a negative relationship could do bad things to your health, because I was in a bad business relationship for a few years and I know how much better I feel now that I escaped.
I'm just glad I don't have to deal with it in my marriage. That would really suck.
Reply
10-19-2007 @ 1:26AM
Joy said...Bob, I swear to God...there was an add on here to "click here" for something or other and it made me mad. Had nothing to do with the story...I swear!! I talk a lot to myself and only rarely get caught!
Reply