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Learning Objectives Science of Friendship Social Isolation Gen Z Challenges Relationship Types Managing Breakups Work Relationships Exam Questions Practice Quiz

CMH & Developing Healthy Relationships - Complete Study Guide

📚 Exam Date: Tomorrow
📋 Format: Comprehensive study notes with key concepts, research findings, and practical applications

Learning Objectives (MUST KNOW)

  1. Describe the importance of social support for overall health and wellness
  2. List and describe qualities of healthy family relationships
  3. Explain the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships
  4. Identify factors that influence friendship development
  5. Identify five skills for building healthy relationships
  6. Describe similarities and differences between friendships and romantic relationships
  7. Create a personal action plan to assess and develop relationship skills

The Science of Why Friendship Keeps Us Healthy

Core Research Findings:

How Friendship Changes the Body and Brain

Key Quote to Remember:
"In the face of life's challenges, having a close friend to turn to seems to be a buffer or protective factor against some of the negative outcomes we might otherwise see" - Catherine Bagwell, PhD, Davidson College

The Risks of Social Isolation (CRITICAL FOR EXAM)

Major Health Risks:

The Strength of "Weak" Ties

Why is Social Connection So Hard for Gen Z? (March 2025 Research)

Stanford Report - Jamil Zaki's Research:

Two Major Trends Affecting Gen Z:

  1. Rise in economic inequality - leaving millions in relative precarity (uncertainty)
  2. Media ecosystem - overwhelming negative information

Solutions for Gen Z (IMPORTANT):

  1. Realize how much others want to connect
  2. Jump into social waters even when staying home is easier
  3. Research intervention: Posters showing real data about student friendliness led to:
    • Less underestimation of peers
    • More social risk-taking
    • Larger friend groups after 6 months

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships

Healthy Relationships Unhealthy Relationships
People accept, support, respect and encourage growth People criticize, judge and disrespect each other
Opinions are heard Opinions are dismissed or overlooked
Feelings are validated Feelings are invalidated
Boundaries are respected Boundaries are overstepped or dismissed
Needs and wants are effectively communicated Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are dictated by others
Time appropriately divided between relationships Connection with other relationships diminishes
Abuse is absent Physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse present
Self-care is encouraged and respected There is an apparent care-taker role
Trust is present; space to share dreams, fears, concerns Dishonesty and mistrust are prevalent
Safety and comfort exists, people are natural self Intimidation and/or control is common
Laughter, joy, fun are present Constant need to walk on eggshells
Allow time for enjoyable activities together Investing in the relationship is unimportant

Red Flags in Relationships (MEMORIZE):

Does the other person:

Managing Breakups: Think Like an Entrepreneur

Failure-Learning Orientation:

The likelihood of failure in relationships (like baseball and business) is not constant if people learn from mistakes, resulting in improved performance with successive attempts.

Research on Romantic Relationships (Arthur Brooks - Harvard):

Three Steps to Learn from Breakups:

  1. Don't get stuck in the doom loop
    • Don't just try to forget your ex existed
    • Avoiding analysis wastes valuable learning information
    • Doom loop = self-reinforcing cycle of negative thoughts and outcomes
  2. Study your last breakup like a scientist
    • Write down errors: Did you smother? Unable to cope with jealousy? Miss warning signs?
    • Make resolutions to avoid similar mistakes
  3. Don't give up on love
    • Business school insight: Average hit preceded by ~4 flops
    • Failed romances can lead to entrepreneurial progress toward happiness

Key Relationship Principles

Respect: You Have to Give It to Get It

Factors Influencing Relationship Development:

  1. Geographical closeness
  2. Shared interests
  3. Reciprocal self-disclosure

The Power of Healthy Relationships at Work

Emma Seppala & Nicole K. McNichols - June 22 (HBR)

Five Principles for Improving Work Relationships:

1. Transparency and Authenticity

2. Inspiration

3. Emotional Intelligence

4. Self-Care

5. Values

Building Your Wellness Plan - Action Steps

Potential Exam Questions

Essay Questions (High Probability):

  1. Discuss the scientific evidence linking social relationships to physical and mental health. Include at least 3 research studies.
  2. Compare and contrast healthy and unhealthy relationships using at least 5 criteria from each category.
  3. Explain the concept of "failure-learning orientation" in relationships and how it applies to romantic breakups.
  4. Analyze why Gen Z struggles with social connections and propose evidence-based solutions.
  5. Design a workplace intervention to improve relationships using the 5 principles from Seppala & McNichols.

Short Answer Questions:

  1. What percentage does loneliness increase the risk of early death according to Holt-Lunstad's meta-analysis?
  2. List the three factors influencing relationship development.
  3. What are "weak ties" and why are they important?
  4. Describe the doom loop in the context of relationship failures.
  5. What are the two major trends affecting Gen Z's well-being?

Practice Quiz Section

Q1: According to the 2020 study by Choi et al., people with friends and close confidants are:
More satisfied with their lives and less likely to suffer from depression
Q2: What is the increased risk of early death from loneliness according to Holt-Lunstad?
26% increased risk
Q3: Name the three factors that influence relationship development:
1. Geographical closeness
2. Shared interests
3. Reciprocal self-disclosure
Q4: What did the Stanford research intervention with posters lead to after 6 months?
Students had a larger number of friends, were less likely to underestimate fellow students, and more likely to take chances on them
Q5: According to business school research, how many "flops" typically precede a "hit" in relationships?
Roughly 4 flops precede the average hit
Q6: What are the 5 principles for improving work relationships?
1. Transparency and Authenticity
2. Inspiration
3. Emotional Intelligence
4. Self-Care
5. Values
Q7: According to the 2018 UK study, loneliness increases risk for which health conditions?
Heart attack, stroke, and premature death (study of 480,000 UK residents)
Q8: What is a "doom loop" in relationship context?
A self-reinforcing cycle of negative thoughts, behaviors, and outcomes that perpetuate a negative state or situation
Q9: What happens to blood pressure when talking to supportive friends vs ambivalent friends?
Blood pressure reactivity is lower when people talk to a supportive friend rather than a friend they feel ambivalent about
Q10: List at least 5 red flags in unhealthy relationships:
1. Putting you down
2. Extreme jealousy or possessiveness
3. Constantly checking up on you
4. Telling you how to dress
5. Controlling who you see and what you do
6. Big mood swings
7. Making you walk on eggshells
8. Criticizing you
9. Threatening to hurt you

🎯 Final Exam Tips:

Good luck on your exam! Remember: Understanding relationships is not just academic - it's a life skill that will serve you well beyond this test.