5 Your Social Health

Your Social Health The Importance of Communication Improve skills Understand differences Attributes of relationships Health benefits Science of love Long-term relationship characteristics Increasing use of online social networks

The Social Dimension of Health Supportive relationships protect people from stress, distress and disease

The Social Dimension of Health (cont’d.) Social Contagion Process in which friends, friends of friends, acquaintances and social circle affect health Is it real? Health factors change in clusters Obesity in one person made friends 57% more likely to become obese Smoking in one person made friends 35% more likely to start smoking

Communicating 1. Learn to Listen 2. Be Agreeable, but Assertive Try to understand feelings and motivation Ask questions when you don’t understand Prompt person to continue talking 2. Be Agreeable, but Assertive Make needs and desires clear Use non-provocative words

How Men and Women Communicate Talk to demonstrate superiority Interrupt to get information Write brief and utilitarian e-mails More likely to include strong assertions, sarcasm, and disagreement with others online

How Men and Women Communicate (cont’d.) Talk to draw people closer Likely to wait rather than interrupt Focuses mote on emotion-related words in writing Writes in similar style to spoken word to build connection with audience

Forming Relationships Friendships Friends are a source of happiness, connection to larger world, and solace in times of trouble Loneliness Longer work hours, busy family schedules, frequent moves, high divorce rates all contribute to loneliness Shyness and social anxiety disorder Many people are shy; approximately 7% can be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, a mental disorder

Social Networking on Campus Pros Keep in touch with acquaintances Support from acquaintances is meaningful Maintain relationships, make new friend Cons Private events become public Can be used to humiliate, bully, harass or stalk Takes time and attention away from other responsibilities

Dating on Campus Friends with benefits Hooking up Involves a range of sexual behaviors without expectation of relationship 60-80% of students report having hooked up Friends with benefits Involves an ongoing friendship that goes beyond a one-time sexual encounter 45-50% of students report engaging in a friends-with-benefits relationship

Loved and Being Loved Six Types Of Love Liking Infatuation Romantic Love Compassionate Love Fatuous Love Consummate Love

Psychological View of Love Figure 5.1. Sternberg’s Love Triangle

Anthropological View of Love A near universal experience for all cultures Primitive, basic human emotion Historically, it pulled people together for child-rearing Four-year ‘itch’ is present across cultures

Biochemical View of Love Love causes changes in the brain Causes release of stimulants: Dopamine, norepinephrine, phenylethylamine After initial infatuation, love causes release of endorphins Endorphins and stimulants create the physical symptoms of love and the feelings of well-being, security and tranquility of longer-lasting relationships

Dysfunctional Relationships Does not promote healthy communication, honesty and intimacy Physical Symptoms Headaches Digestive Trouble Difficulty Sleeping It takes a lot of time and energy to change a dysfunctional relationship

Dysfunctional Relationships Abuse Behavior to control another person: fear, humiliation, verbal or physical assault Emotional Abuse Constant berating, belittling, or criticizing Wears away at trust, self-worth, and belief in self Reach out to your friends and family for help if you think you are in an abusive relationship

Codependency Defined Behavior learned by family members to survive great pain and stress of their loved one’s addiction or illness Treatment Individual and group therapy Education Codependents Anonymous

Partnering across the Life Span Successful Transition Includes: Completing school Establishing independent household Being employed full-time Marriage and children (possibly)

Partnering across the Life Span (cont’d.) Reasons couples decide to cohabitate:  Economic Social acceptance of cohabitation More time together ‘Test’ relationship Alternative to marriage

Long-Term Same-Sex Relationships Relationship follows familiar stages Intense passion and romantic love Starting home together Building trust and dependability Establishing strong partnership Experience more social isolation Use more affection and humor during disagreements

Marriage Better physical and mental health Longer life Benefits Less disease and common illnesses Challenges Requires preparation Common challenges require effort Money, sex and careers Divorce rate remains 50%

Issues Couples Confront Money Sex Extramarital Affairs Two-Career Couples Conflict

Saving Marriages Focus on friendship Remember the beginning Show respect Compliment your partner Forgive one another Keep positive interactions more frequent than negative interactions

Children are the exception, not the rule Family Ties Children are the exception, not the rule Families are more diverse and blended Unmarried parents lead to “fragile families” Fragile families are on the rise

Chapter Review Identify Understand Discuss Compare Describe Skills to increase communication and differences in communication across genders Understand How relationships impact health Discuss Types and views of love Compare Healthy and unhealthy relationships Describe Issues facing couples in long-term relationships