Frequent fights between husband and wife are harmful for health, but avoiding talking about each other's problems or being cold-hearted is also harmful.
This is a new medical thing happening in America
Ohio State University research has shown that frequent repetitions between husbands and wives, avoiding discussing each other's problems, and coldness worsen relationships while having negative effects on immune system function.
Research has shown that such a relationship can lead to chronic inflammation.
These researchers also discovered in a 2005 study that the stress created during a minor relapse in married couples slows down the body's ability to heal wounds.
This research work has now been extended and discovered that when couples communicate negatively or avoid talking to each other, both husband and wife suffer emotional problems while immune function is affected.
Although marriage is believed to have positive effects on health, this is not automatically the case, the researchers said.
In fact, a stressful relationship can have negative health effects.
The study involved 42 couples who had been married for an average of 12 years.
Blood samples from these individuals were obtained at the start of the study to check for signs of edema, and a small wound was created with a device in each individual's elbow.
During the study, the healing process of the wound was monitored to assess the function of the immune system.
Research has found that a lack of communication between couples can impair immune function, while persistent negative emotions affect health and slow wound healing.
Research has found that couples who communicate better with each other have better health outcomes.
The researchers said that improving the communication skills between couples can strengthen the relationship as well as improve health.
The results of this study were published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.