Psychoneuroimmunology of interpersonal relationships: Both the presence/absence of social ties and relationship quality matter

This chapter suggests that the mere presence of close relationships confers immunological benefits. It investigates the quality of these relationships and argues that distressing relationships dysregulate immune function, whereas supportive relationships may be immunoprotective. The chapter discusses the immunological consequences of relationship loss. The focus is on the empirical adult human literature addressing close relationships and immune function. Observational studies of marital conflict discussions provide a unique window into the effects of marital distress on immune function; behavioral coding systems assess actual relationship behaviors, and thus do not rely on self-reported marital quality. The immunological consequences of distressing relationships may be particularly strong for women compared with men. Distressing relationships clearly dysregulate immune function, and initial evidence suggests that these effects may be most prominent for women. Initial evidence suggests that supportive marriages confer immunological benefits.