Social Anhedonia Harms Romantic Relationships: New Study

Social Anhedonia
Spread the love

  • Social anhedonia, a symptom of depression, can contribute to reduced marital satisfaction.
  • Experts recommend availing therapy and developing self-help strategies to combat the consequences of this type of anhedonia.

Depression And Social Anhedonia

Depression is a common mental health disorder that affects millions in the global population. One of the most prominent symptoms of depression is anhedonia, which is the inability to experience pleasure from activities that are typically enjoyable.

Social anhedonia, on the other hand, refers to the lack of pleasure derived from social interactions. Individuals with social anhedonia often experience a reduced ability to form and maintain social relationships. This condition can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can exacerbate depression symptoms.

Social Anhedonia In Couples

Couples who experience social anhedonia may find it difficult to engage in social activities together. The condition can result in a lack of shared interests, causing negative feelings of disconnection and disengagement in the relationship.

Social anhedonia can also lead to communication problems, as individuals may struggle to express their emotions and connect with their partners. This can result in misunderstandings and conflicts that can further damage the relationship.

Can Social Anhedonia Impact Marital Satisfaction?

A team of researchers at Management University, Singapore, surveyed data from a series of studies that involved 80–100 couples as participants.

The latter was asked to complete questionnaires that assessed their social anhedonia, communication strategies, conflict resolution techniques, and marital satisfaction. The findings 1 Tan, K., Jarnecke, A. M., & South, S. C. (2022). Social anhedonia, communication, and marital satisfaction in newlywed couples. Journal of personality, 10.1111/jopy.12798. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12798 revealed that social anhedonia is negatively associated with one’s own and one partner’s marital satisfaction.

Research further affirms that social anhedonia has a significant impact on marriage satisfaction by triggering:

  • Reduced engagement in social activities together
  • Communication difficulties
  • Increased feelings of loneliness and isolation
  • Reduced sexual intimacy,
  • Increased risk of depression and other mental health issues

Bettering Social Interactions And Mental Health

If social anhedonia is affecting your mental health and relationships, it’s essential to seek professional help. A mental health professional can help you understand the condition and provide strategies to manage it effectively.

Consider working on enriching your relationships like developing shared interests and prioritizing physical intimacy. Building a support network of family and friends who can provide emotional support and understanding also helps when it comes to managing social anhedonia symptoms and strengthening relationships.

Know More About –

  1. Relationships
  2. Depression
  3. Loneliness
  1. 6 Ways to Build a Strong Relationship When Struggling With Depression
  2. How to Communicate Unhappiness in Your Relationship So Your Partner Really Hears You
  3. 6 Things To Remember If Your Partner Is Suffering from Depression

References:

  • 1
    Tan, K., Jarnecke, A. M., & South, S. C. (2022). Social anhedonia, communication, and marital satisfaction in newlywed couples. Journal of personality, 10.1111/jopy.12798. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12798

Spread the love
  • Do Women Carry Babies for Lower Energetic Cost Than Men?

    Do Women Carry Babies for Lower Energetic Cost Than Men?

    Recent studies suggest that women carry babies with more efficient…

  • Research Reveals The Dark Side Of Body Positivity

    Research Reveals The Dark Side Of Body Positivity

    Body positivity can trigger mental health disorders like low self-esteem,…

  • Research Reveals The Mental Health Effects Of Facial Scars

    Research Reveals The Mental Health Effects Of Facial Scars

    Research delves into the mental health impact of facial scars.

  • Social Anhedonia Harms Romantic Relationships: New Study

    Social Anhedonia Harms Romantic Relationships: New Study

    Research delves into the link between social anhedonia in couples…

  • Teens Who Feel Dominated By Their Friends Have Low Self-Esteem: New Study

    Teens Who Feel Dominated By Their Friends Have Low Self-Esteem: New Study

    Research on teens’ mental health shows that having dominant friends…

  • Do Highly Religious People Struggle With Mental Health?

    Do Highly Religious People Struggle With Mental Health?

    Research delves on the mental health ills and benefits of…

  • Those Prone To Apologize Are Likely To Suffer Mental Health Issues

    Those Prone To Apologize Are Likely To Suffer Mental Health Issues

    Recent research found that people who are prone to apologize…

  • Mental Illness Makes You Biologically Older, Research Says

    Mental Illness Makes You Biologically Older, Research Says

    Research highlights how mental illness causes premature aging.

  • Can The Joy Of Missing Out (JOMO) Boost Your Mental Wellness?

    Can The Joy Of Missing Out (JOMO) Boost Your Mental Wellness?

    Research delves on the pros and cons of the joy…

  • Financial Infidelity Can Ruin Your Mental Health and Relationships, Research Says

    Financial Infidelity Can Ruin Your Mental Health and Relationships, Research Says

    Financial infidelity is the act of hiding financial information from…

  • How Can Emotional Rest Boost Your Mental Health? Study Finds

    How Can Emotional Rest Boost Your Mental Health? Study Finds

    Recently, experts have highlighted that emotional rest is an important…

  • Can Darkness Retreats Benefit Your Mental Health?

    Can Darkness Retreats Benefit Your Mental Health?

    Darkness retreats have recently come into vogue, in a bid…

  • Can Spring Cleaning Boost Our Mental Health?

    Can Spring Cleaning Boost Our Mental Health?

    Several studies claim that the ritual of spring cleaning and…

  • Is Using AI For Mental Health Effective In The Long Run?

    Is Using AI For Mental Health Effective In The Long Run?

    Experts weigh the pros and cons of using AI platforms…

  • Spanking Children Is Linked To Parents’ Childhood Trauma: New Study Reveals

    Spanking Children Is Linked To Parents’ Childhood Trauma: New Study Reveals

    A recent study revealed that parents with difficult childhood experiences…

  • Why Does The Language of Loneliness And Depression Differ On Social Media?

    Why Does The Language of Loneliness And Depression Differ On Social Media?

    Research explores how people use different language on social media…

  • How Can Mindfulness In Relationships Benefit You?

    How Can Mindfulness In Relationships Benefit You?

    Using mindfulness in relationships is called mindfulness-based relationships. It can…

  • Does Catfishing Online Affect Your Mental Health?

    Does Catfishing Online Affect Your Mental Health?

    Catfishing online can significantly impact the mental health of both…

  • Is There A Recent Explosion In Autism Cases Worldwide?

    Is There A Recent Explosion In Autism Cases Worldwide?

    There is an alarming rise in autism cases worldwide! Here’s…

  • How Social Media Makes Teens Materialistic

    How Social Media Makes Teens Materialistic

    Research explores how social media use is linked to increased…

  • Why Just Listening In Silence To Someone With Depression Doesn’t Help?

    Why Just Listening In Silence To Someone With Depression Doesn’t Help?

    Experts highlight the importance of reflective listening and advising in…

  • Is There A Rising Wave Of Sadness In Teen Girls?

    Is There A Rising Wave Of Sadness In Teen Girls?

    Studies reveal greater incidences of violence and sadness in teen…

  • Can Menstrual Disorders Change Women’s Brains?

    Can Menstrual Disorders Change Women’s Brains?

    Recent studies show that menstrual disorders change women’s brains, making…

  • Is India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy Effective?

    Is India’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy Effective?

    India’s Mental Health Care Act decriminalizes suicide, mandating the protection…

  • How India’s Mental Health Care Act Upholds Patients’ Rights And Dignity

    How India’s Mental Health Care Act Upholds Patients’ Rights And Dignity

    Understanding why enforcing India’s Mental Health Care Act is crucial…

  • The Pitfalls Of Social Media Oversharing In Sharenting

    The Pitfalls Of Social Media Oversharing In Sharenting

    Sharenting is the social media oversharing of children’s information by…

  • Silent Struggle: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Infertility

    Silent Struggle: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Infertility

    Experts explore the mental health impact of infertility.