How does emotional closeness function as a protective factor against stress-related psychological difficulties?
The feeling of being close to someone is one of the most fundamental human needs. Emotional closeness can be defined as the sense of connection and intimacy between people who care about each other. People feel it when they share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others. When this happens, they often report a stronger sense of wellbeing, less loneliness, and higher self-esteem. This bonding feeling has long been considered an important predictor of mental health and resilience. It helps individuals cope with adversities and reduce stress levels.
Emotional closeness can be experienced through many different ways.
People may experience this feeling when they spend time with family members, friends, romantic partners, or colleagues. They might also feel emotionally connected to their pets, plants, or even objects. Some researchers have suggested that emotional closeness provides comfort, support, validation, and reassurance. When individuals are able to rely on these social resources, they tend to perform better in terms of work, school, personal relationships, and overall quality of life.
There is evidence showing that emotional closeness can help people manage their stress levels more effectively.
Studies have found that emotional closeness reduces blood pressure and heart rate during stressful situations. Another study found that emotionally close couples are more likely to recover from traumatic events than those who lack such connections. In addition, people who reported high levels of emotional closeness were found to have lower rates of depression and anxiety compared to those who did not.
There are some caveats. Emotional closeness does not always provide perfect protection against stress.
People may become too dependent on their social networks, which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness if the relationship ends.
Some people may find it difficult to create and maintain emotional bonds due to personality traits, past experiences, or other factors. Lastly, some stressors (such as violence, abuse, discrimination) cannot be managed by emotional closeness alone.
Emotional closeness is a protective factor against stress-related psychological difficulties. It helps people manage their stress levels, cope with adversities, and improve their wellbeing.
This does not mean that everyone will feel protected at all times. People should still seek professional help when needed and cultivate healthy relationships to promote their mental health.
How does emotional closeness function as a protective factor against stress-related psychological difficulties?
According to research, emotional closeness is associated with better mental health outcomes and can act as a buffer against the negative effects of stress on individuals' well-being. Specifically, people who experience strong social support from their close relationships are more likely to cope effectively with stressful life events, have higher levels of resilience, and report greater overall satisfaction with their lives (Baumeister et al. , 1995).