In a study recently published in Psychological Science, Slatcher, Selcuk, and Ong tested a specific path through which relationships—in this case, romantic relationships—might influence health. They predicted that one aspect of romantic relationships that may be particularly important for health is partner responsiveness.

 

A responsive partner is someone who makes you feel understood (the feeling that this person “gets” you), validated (they respect your perspectives and feelings), and cared for (they’re concerned about your well-being, and they want the best for you). In a previous post, I talked about how having a responsive partner is like navigating a relationship in easy-mode: it’s much easier to work through issues with a partner who is understanding, validating, and caring, compared to when the partner lacks these characteristics. But there is also some research suggesting that people might in fact be physically healthier when they feel that their partner is responsive to their needs.

 

Read more at Science of Relationships