Lovesick: Predictions from Hostile Conflict and Jealousy in Early Adult Romantic Relationships to Sleep, Depression and IL6

Romantic relationship hostility has been linked to a variety of health outcomes in marital couples, yet less is known about the role of hostility in health difficulties for young adults over time. The current study examines predictions from several indicators of romantic relationship hostility (observed hostility, jealousy, and reported negativity and conflict) in early adulthood to higher levels of sleep problems, depression, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in adulthood. Participants, parents, friends and romantic partners provided observational and self-report data from ages 13-29 and participants provided blood samples that were analyzed for circulating concentrations of IL-6 at age 29. After accounting for control variables including income, gender, attachment security, and baseline observed hostility and depression, higher levels of hostility in romantic relationships at ages 21 and 24 predicted more health difficulties at age 29. Identifying early adult markers of romantic relationship hostility that may contribute to poorer health outcomes has implications for our understanding of the importance early romantic relationships and for intervention.