People inevitably face stress in their lives. Besides dealing with our own stress, when we see others struggling due to stress, it seems like we can also feel their stress, as if stress is contagious. According to experts, stress can indeed be contagious and can directly impact the health of others.
American psychologist and author Phil Lane wrote in Psychology Today that stress is unavoidable. People will inevitably encounter various sources of stress in life. This is human nature and the essence of life, which is complex and multifaceted.
It is commonly believed that stress only affects the individual experiencing a specific source of stress. However, recent studies suggest that a person’s stress or their behavioral response to stress can directly impact their loved ones, especially their spouses or partners.
In summary, stress affects emotions, behaviors, and thoughts, so one person’s stress response can have an impact on another person, especially in situations where two people live together.
From a psychological perspective, a study published by Purdue University in 2021 indicated that people in various stressful environments can affect their own and their partner’s health.
Researchers defined this as the “Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model”. In this model, the dyad refers to the relationship between the person experiencing stress (actor) and the person influenced by the other’s stress (partner).
In this relationship, if the actor has negative behavioral stress responses such as anger, withdrawal, or numbness, it will have a direct and significant negative impact on the partner.
For example, if John experiences work-related stress and becomes depressed, isolated, and irritable as a result, his wife Joan’s emotions and behaviors will also be affected.
Researchers suggest that if both John (the actor) and Joan (the partner) are negatively affected by John’s stress, they may experience serious health issues.
At the start of a day, regardless of the partner’s stress, the levels of cortisol (the body’s natural “stress hormone”) are similar for both the actor and the partner. However, differences start to appear after a conflict occurs.
Therefore, if John’s stress increases during the day, both his and Joan’s cortisol levels will begin to rise, leading to further stress and physiological symptoms such as increased heart rate, intensified anxiety, and panic-type bodily reactions.
A study published in 2018 pointed out that stress from the actor and the partner can exacerbate inflammation. Inflammation affects the cardiovascular and immune systems, potentially having long-term negative effects on overall health. Thus, the dual stress in romantic or marital relationships may pose serious health risks.
Lane mentioned that normal sources of stress, such as work, family, finances, will always influence our lives. Understanding the Dyadic Biobehavioral Stress Model can help actors and partners maintain their health.
Recognizing that we are not the only ones affected by stress on our health helps us understand that dealing with stress in a healthy way could be more beneficial.
If I want to ensure that both myself and my family stay as healthy as possible, it is my responsibility to constantly monitor the stress I am under, how I am responding to it, and how to manage and alleviate it in a healthy way.
In conclusion, whenever I can manage stress in a healthy and appropriate way, I not only benefit my own physical and mental health, but also the health of my loved ones.
Tim Bono, a lecturer in psychology and brain science at Washington University in St. Louis, previously stated that humans are social animals and are easily influenced by others. When people are affected by the stress of others, it is referred to as “secondhand stress”.
Elizabeth Shirtcliff, a professor at the University of Oregon, suggests that whether it’s a therapist or a close friend, when you experience “secondhand stress”, you should seek help from someone you trust.