Family feuds are bad for your health, but that’s probably not news for anyone who has been caught up in a never-ending argument with their parents.
What’s more surprising, perhaps, is the different ways family arguments affect our health compared to spats with a romantic partner.
New research, published by the American Psychological Association, shows strained relationships with parents, siblings or extended family members may be more harmful to health than a troubled relationship with a significant other.
The results indicate a family rift can worsen chronic conditions while increasing your risk of headaches, strokes and more.
The researchers used data from more than 2,800 adults collected in three rounds ― in 1995 to 1996, 2004 to 2006 and 2013 to 2014.
The team didn’t pull any punches, asking participants tough questions such as: “not including your partner, how often do members of your family criticise you?” and “how much does your spouse or partner appreciate you?” On the flip side, researchers also asked participants about the support they receive from their family or partner.
Participants rated their overall health from excellent to poor during each round. Health was also measured by the researchers using participants’ total number of chronic conditions, noting problems including headaches, back pain, stomach trouble and stroke, experienced in the 12 months prior to each of the three data collection times.
The researchers found that greater family relationship strain was associated with a higher number of chronic conditions and worse overall health 10 years later, during the second and third rounds of data collection. There were no significant effects of intimate partner relationships on health outcomes.
“We were honestly stunned that there were zero associations between intimate partner emotional climate and later health,” lead author Sarah B. Woods said.
One explanation could be that negative romantic relationships may end, whereas people are more likely to stick with their pain-in-the-arse family members for life, the researchers added.
The takeaway? Sort out those family rifts or walk away, you’ll be healthier for it.