In this episode of Health Psych Currents, Dr. Josh Eyer and Dr. Christine Guardino talk with Dr. Jenny Cundiff about the science behind social relationships and health. Drawing from a landmark special issue of Health Psychology, they explore how everyday interactions with family, friends, and communities influence stress, cardiovascular health, and long-term well-being. The conversation covers loneliness, social support, innovative research methods that capture life as it happens, and the way understanding our social world may be one of the keys to improving health. Whether you're a psychologist, healthcare professional, researcher, or simply curious about the science of human connection, this episode offers practical insights and a fascinating look at where the field is headed.

EPISODE CITATIONS:

https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/special/hea-social-influences-physical-health-pdf

Cundiff, J. M., Cribbet, M. R., & Birmingham, W. C. (2025). Introduction to the special issue: social influences on physical health: Patterns, mechanisms, and solutions. Health Psychology, 44(5), 409–412. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001510

Zawadzki, M. J., Smyth, J. M., Sliwinski, M. J., Ruiz, J. M., & Gerin, W. (2017). Revisiting the lack of association between affect and physiology: Contrasting between-person and within-person analyses. Health Psychology, 36(8), 811–818. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000466

Wilson, S. J., & Koffer, R. E. (2025). Lonely days: Linking day-to-day loneliness to biological and functional aging. Health Psychology, 44(5), 446–455. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001426

Ong, A. D., Cintron, D. W., Yoneda, T., Beck, E. D., Jackson, K., Luo, J., Mroczek, D. K., Steptoe, A., & Graham, E. K. (2025). Social asymmetry and physical health in the United States and Japan. Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 44(5), 509–517. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001409 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40232786/

Holt-Lunstad J. (2025). Social connection or loneliness? How we frame the issue may significantly impact public policy. Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 44(5), 560–562. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001433 . https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-04127-016.html

Uchino, B. N. (2026). On the use of biological measures in health psychology: A multilevel, strong inference perspective. Health Psychology, 45(4), 355–366. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001574

EPISODE LINKS:

2026 APA Annual Convention Information

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosts: Josh Eyer, PhD and Christine Guardino
Producer and Managing Editor: Mark Vogel, PhD. ABPP
Edited by Isaac Schutz

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