Abstract
We examined the potential moderating effects of interpersonal relationships on the association between stress and physical health. We hypothesized that there would be a significant main effect of stress on physical health, a significant main effect of relationships on physical health, and a significant interaction between stress and relationship quality on physical health, such that quality relationships provide a buffering effect, reducing the negative impacts of stress on physical health. Data was collected through a self-report Qualtrics survey on CloudResearch. We found a significant main effect of stress on physical health and a significant main effect of relationship quality on physical health. An interaction was only observed in romantic relationship subtypes, such that low-quality romantic relationships exhibit a greater decline in physical health than high-quality romantic relationships in conditions of low compared to high stress. Important implications exist in which enhancing relationship quality could be a vital strategy in mitigating stress-related health consequences. This may include therapeutic interventions, socioemotional-based school curricula, and holistic healthcare opportunities.
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Recommended Citation
Freedman, Hadley; Forcier, Sophie; Slatnick, Emma; Wright, Keely; Summers, Kevin M.; and Huff, Sarah
(2025)
"Exploring Buffering Effects of Interpersonal Relationships on the Impacts of Stress on Physical Health,"
DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive: Vol. 6:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
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Health Psychology Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Social Psychology Commons