Social Health

In This Chapter, Learn About Relationships Communication Improve skills Understand differences Attributes of relationships Health benefits Science of love Long-term relationship characteristics Online social networks

Create Close Ties With Other People Supportive relationships protect people from stress, distress and disease

Your Social Network Affects Your Health 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

Two Skills That Will Improve Communication 1. Learn to Listen 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 5

Men And Women Communicate Differently Talk to demonstrate superiority Interrupt to get information E-mails are brief and utilitarian Online conversations more likely to include strong assertions, sarcasm and disagreement with others 6

Men And Women Communicate Differently Talk to draw people closer Likely to wait rather than interrupt Writing uses more words related to emotion E-mails are written similar to spoken word to build connection with audience

Men & Women Communicate Differently Empathy vs. Sympathy: what’s the difference? http://lifehacker.com/this-video-explains-the-difference-between-empathy-and-1487494909 It’s Not About the Nail!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg A Tale of Two Brains http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XjUFYxSxDk

Online Sites Have Increased Social Networks 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 9

Psychological View Of Love 6 Types Of Love 3 Components Of Love Liking Infatuation Romantic Love Compassionate Love Fatuous Love Consummate Love 10

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 11

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 12

Dysfunctional Relationships Harm Health 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 13

Beware Of Abuse In Relationships Behavior to control another person - fear, humiliation, verbal or physical assault Emotional Abuse Constant berating, belittling or criticism 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 14

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 15

Transitioning To Adulthood Successful Transition Includes:  Completing school Establishing independent household Being employed full-time Marriage and children (possibly) 16

Cohabitation Has Become More Common Reasons couples decide to live together:  Economic Social acceptance of cohabitation More time together ‘Test’ relationship Alternative to marriage

Same-Sex Couples 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 Brings Benefits And Challenges Better physical and mental health Longer life Less disease and common illnesses Challenges Requires preparation Common challenges require effort money, sex and careers Divorce rate remains 50%

Common Issues In Long-Term Relationships Money Sex Extramarital Affairs Two-Career Couples Conflict

Suggestions For Relationship Success Focus on friendship Remember the beginning Show respect Compliment your partner Forgive one another Keep positive interactions more frequent than negative interactions