Understanding the links between social ties and health: On building stronger bridges with relationship science

Social relationships have been reliably related to physical health outcomes. More specifically, relationship positivity and negativity have been associated with disease morbidity and mortality. Our program of research has also highlighted the potential value of considering both positivity and negativity (ambivalence) in linking relationships to health. However, stronger links are needed between relationship science and health researchers - especially to ask important second-generation questions. I argue that systematic attention to two basic questions is of importance. Firstly, what are the health-relevant antecedent processes that influence relationship positivity and negativity from a relationship science perspective? Secondly, what are the coordinated biological processes responsible for such links? Future interdisciplinary training and research in these areas can help to stabilize and strengthen the crucial bridge between relationship science and health.