The association between nterpersonal relationships and health in a representative population sample

Background and aim: This study investigated the link between relationship patterns and psychological, physical, and psychosocial well-being. The representative sample that was used included N = 1908 subjects interviewed as part of a survey held in Germany in November 1999. Material and Methods: Relationship patterns were assessed using the self-rated Relationship Patterns Questionnaire [1, 2]. The three aspects of health - psychological, physical, and psychosocial - were assessed using the self-rated health scales [3]. Results: Correlations were found between specific aspects of the subjects' relationships and their physical, psychological, and psychosocial well-being. The most consistent finding was that the nature of the subjects' introject was most correlated with the three health measures. Furthermore, the introject items of the RPQ predicted up to 13% of the variance in psychological impairment. Conclusion: Results indicate that the quality of an individual's introject is the best predictor of his or her physical, psychological, and psychosocial well-being. Implications of this are discussed.