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

Thoughts or suggestions? Complete our listener survey at the Society webpage

You can also find expert bios, transcripts, and details of each episode on the Society webpage.

Subscribe today on Apple and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here>> https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2625656.rss

Health psychologists play a critical role in supporting caregivers of patients with dementia — yet many clinicians feel underprepared for the emotional complexity of this work.

In this episode, we interview Beverly E. Thorn, Ph.D., the author of Before I Lose My Own Mind, a powerful exploration of dementia caregiving and the psychological toll it takes on families. We discuss how health psychologists can support dementia caregivers, recognize caregiver burnout, and provide meaningful mental health strategies throughout the progression of the illness.

This conversation focuses on practical clinical skills for health psychologists in practice and training, including how to address anticipatory grief, emotional burden, role transitions, and resilience in caregivers of dementia patients. Whether you work in primary care, behavioral health, geriatrics, or integrated care, you’ll gain tools to better support caregivers navigating one of the most challenging experiences in healthcare.

Episode Citations:

https://drbeverlythorn.com/

Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver by Beverly E. Thorn

Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain (Second Edition): A Step-by-Step Guide by Beverly E. Thorn

Global Deterioration Scale for Dementia

Episode Credits:

Hosts: Josh Eyer, PhD and Elena Silberman Scott, PhD,MA
Produced by Valeria Martinez-Kaigi, PhD, MS
Managing Editor: Mark Vogel, PhD. ABPP
Edited by Isaac Schutz

Thoughts or suggestions? Complete our listener survey at the Society webpage

You can also find expert bios, transcripts, and details of each episode on the Society webpage.

Subscribe today on Apple and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here>> https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2625656.rss