How spouses disagree may predict which ones are more likely to develop certain ailments down the road, new research suggests.
Analyzing 156 older couples over 20 years, scientists found that patterns of angry outbursts raised the risk of heart problems, while emotional withdrawal or “stonewalling” could lead to musculoskeletal issues such as back pain or stiff neck.
“We’ve known for a long time that stress and negative emotions are bad for your health,” said study author Claudia Haase. She’s an assistant professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
