By: Jamilex Polonia

Interpersonal/
relationship stress
What is Interpersonal
Stress?
Interpersonal Stress: Takes place in the context of
relationships with others
 • The primary source of interpersonal
stress is conflict.

What does this mean?

What is the
• When a relationship causes stress it’s
Primary Source usually because the relationship is
filled with:
of Interpersonal • Conflict
Stress? • Tension
• Arguments
• Negative behavior/ attitude
 • Interpersonal stress has been linked to
higher levels of depression and anxiety
as well as more problems with
How Does This substance use and a higher risk of
Affect suicide attempts.
• Relationship stress especially romantic
Students? relationships has a more severe impact
on well being compared to any other
type of relationship.
 How Does This Affect Students?

Higher risk of Higher risk for

being a college committing
drop-out suicide
 3 Key Features

Incompatibility
Interaction Interdependence
based on
between between
perception or
individuals individuals
values
 Interpersonal
Stress
One of the most frequent and troubling form of daily
stressor
 • Kato, T. (2013). Assessing coping with interpersonal
stress: Development and validation of the Interpersonal
Stress Coping Scale in Japan. International Perspectives
in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 2(2),
100-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ipp0000002
• Mattlin, J. A., Wethington, E., & Kessler, R. C. (1990).
Situational determinants of coping and coping
effectiveness. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 31,
103–122.
Resources • Green, J. L, Lowry, J. L., & Kopta, S. M. (2003). College
students versus college counseling center clients: What
are the differences? Journal of College Student
Psychotherapy, 17, 25-37.
• The impact of interpersonal stress in romantic
relationships on college students' mental health and
academic performance
https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/handle/2152/41572