What is the impact of chronic stress on relationship health?

• A. It improves resilience but worsens relationship quality.
• B. Chronic stress from social disapproval can negatively affect both individual well-being and relationship quality.
• C. It affects only one partner's health, not the relationship.
• D. It has no impact on relationships.

Answer: (B)

Chronic stress, especially from social disapproval, undermines both personal well-being and relationship quality. When someone faces ongoing social judgment, it creates a persistent sense of threat to belonging, keeping the body's stress response activated. This can lead to moodiness, irritability, and fatigue, which make constructive communication and supportive behaviors more difficult. As one partner’s distress increases, it tends to spill over into interactions—sparks in conflict, less empathy, and reduced willingness to cooperate—pulling down overall relationship satisfaction.

This perspective matters because relationships are systems where each person’s well-being and behavior affect the other. While resilience or coping skills can help, the persistent impact of chronic stress tends to ripple through both individuals and the relationship, leading to less closeness and more strain over time.