Positive relationships can have big benefits for mental health. (1) People in healthy, committed relationships produce less of the stress hormone cortisol and are less likely to develop depression. (2) Relationship problems, on the other hand, can lead to a decline in mental health. Studies have found that single people have better health outcomes than those who are unhappily married. (3) This means that resolving relationship issues is an important part of managing mental health.
Relationships cover the connections a person has with everyone in their life, including romantic partners, friends, and family. Issues in any of these relationships can lead to stress, lowered self-esteem, anxiety, and social withdrawal. It can also intensify existing mental health concerns as support structures erode.
The importance of relationships on happiness means that relationship issues are well-studied and understood by people who work in mental health. Help is available to manage marriage, family, and friendship problems.
THURSDAY, March 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- That part of the marriage vows where couples pledge to stay together "in sickness and in health" may be heeded more by wives than husbands, new research suggests. Although divorce rates did not increase when husbands were in poor health, researchers at Iowa... Read More
TUESDAY, Jan. 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- A woman may have the reputation of turning into a green-eyed monster when her man sleeps with someone else, but new research suggests a man gets even more jealous in the same scenario. In a poll of nearly 64,000 Americans, sexual infidelity... Read More
THURSDAY, Nov. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A bad marriage increases an older adult's risk of heart trouble, and that's particularly true for women, a new study contends. Researchers examined five years of data from 1,200 married American men and women, aged 57 to 85. People with spouses... Read More
Dear Dr. Schwartz, I have been married for 15 years and for 13 of those my mother-in-law had keys to our house. I loved &... Read More
We have been married for 9 years with a 3 yr old daughter. I had Post Partum Depression after our child was born and became... Read More
Ok, I have a long distant relationship with a person I have meet on the Internet. We talk every night on Skype and he is... Read More
When a child experiences abuse, betrayal, or dishonesty at the hands of a caregiver or loved one, it can trigger a knock-on effect and impact future relationships. While some people... Read More
Although the U.S. divorce rate is the lowest since 1970, many people in relationships still encounter problems.(1) A healthy relationship requires good communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills... Read More
Despite the love stories plastered all over Hollywood movies or the sweet nothings dripping from Hallmark cards, the truth is that relationships aren’t always so perfect. But before we dig... Read More
In 2020 and 2021, the divorce rate was 14 divorces per 1,000 married women, the lowest level in 40 years. (4) Despite this statistic, people in romantic relationships still encounter issues.
Although every relationship is different, research has found that certain problems come up regularly in unhappy marriages. One 2017 study listed "fading enthusiasm", "long work hours". and "lack of personal time and space" as the most-cited reasons for a relationship breakdown. (5) A separate study of people in couples therapy found that communication, emotional distance, and lack of physical affection were the most frequent problems. (6)
In addition to scientific research, many counselors speak openly about the issues they most frequently encounter with couples counseling. These include:
For many people, family members are among the most important relationships they have. However, a sizable minority have difficulties with family members. Around 27% of American adults have cut off contact with a family member, and most of these are upset about taking that action. (8) Family issues can have a big impact on children, and resolving the problems can help people grow into mentally healthy adults.
Common family problems include:
Improving communication is one of the best ways to improve relationship problems. Talking openly and honestly about feelings can stop misunderstandings, build trust, and prevent arguments. This is true in marriages, friendships, and families.
It’s also important to regularly maintain healthy relationships. It’s not enough to like posts on social media; spending quality time together is essential. This time should be interactive and intentional. This means making a plan to spend time doing something together. Although there’s intimacy in sitting quietly together watching a movie, it’s important to find activities where the focus is on each other. This could be walking the dog, trying a new restaurant, or exploring the farmer’s market to ensure the relationship is regularly strengthened.
People struggling to make improvements on their own may wish to try therapy. Studies have found that couples therapy leads to higher levels of marital satisfaction and significant improvements in individual mental health. (9) Similarly, parents who participated in family counseling reported higher family cohesion and healthier parental practices. (10) Trained counselors can help people communicate truthfully about their relationship issues and find solutions that enhance closeness. (11)
A relationship that isn’t going right can be a source of stress and anguish. Learning to cope with relationship troubles can help individuals manage their own mental health while negotiating with another person. Here are some tips for coping with relationship problems.
Whether it’s a mother helping her child through divorce or a husband showing support for his wife’s friendship troubles, helping someone with relationship problems is common. Listening patiently is key to providing assistance. Many people just need to talk about their problems to a third party. Other tips include:
