The effects of relationship stress and unmitigated communion on physical and mental health outcomes

This study investigated the interactive effects of relationship stress and ‘unmitigated communion’ (UC) when predicting health outcomes among college students (n = 97). It was hypothesized that those participants who scored high on a scale of ‘UC’ (the tendency to focus on relationships rather than on one's own needs or desires) would be more negatively affected by interpersonal stress than those participants who scored lower on this scale. Paper‐and‐pencil measures of ‘UC’, perceived interpersonal stress, vitality, mental health, anxiety, depression, and positive and negative affect were completed. The results of the study strongly supported the hypothesis on both the physical and psychological levels. Gender was investigated as a potential moderating factor. While there was no evidence that this was the case, the results do provide limited evidence that men may be more prone to the negative effects of relationship stress than women (when controlling for ‘UC’). Implications for counselling are such that a participant's standing on ‘UC’ should be addressed during therapy. Failure to do so may result in inappropriate, or even harmful, treatment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.