Relationships

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My studies and this blog are specifically related to chronic disease that is attributed to dietary factors and exposure to tobacco or other carcinogens.  Generally however, I am interested in <i>anything</i> related to health and so from time to time the blog post may wander in another direction - like financial health for instance.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today I mention something associated with  relationships because I have been reading an article that mentions theories that lead to successful ones. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> One of the theories is exchange theory and according to Buhrmester, Furman, Wittenberg and Reis (1988), an important component of exchange theory is this:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-"appropriately asserting displeasure with others"-</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think you should read that line again.  It is really saying TWO things.  The first is that when you are in a relationship (romantic, friendship, or familial), it is important that you DO share your feelings when you are displeased (unhappy, etc). The second part is that you do so appropriately.  </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sulking and withholding affection or attention, for example, are NOT assertions.  Yelling that your spouse is a jerk IS communicating, but not appropriately.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think what I want most to impress upon you, the reader, is this:  It is not healthy to keep things inside.  It does not help you or the relationship.  Suffering in silence - being a dutiful (yet,conflicted) person  - or being unhappy, gracefully - these are not strategies to improve the health of a relationship.  It does not help you, the relationship, or the other person(s).</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span>

Relationships

My studies and this blog are specifically related to chronic disease that is attributed to dietary factors and exposure to tobacco or other ...

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