In adulthood, relationship stress centers around family ties, particularly marriage. A great deal of evidence points to the link between marital stress and poor health (Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton 2001), and health behavior is a likely mediator of this link. Longitudinal studies suggest that marital conflict leads to increased probability of smoking and heavy drinking (Cohen et al. 1991, Horwitz & White 1991). Young children also impose strains on parents. The time constraints of parenting interfere with parents’ ability to exercise (Nomaguchi & Bianchi 2004), and parenting stress may explain why divorced fathers exhibit high levels of health risk behavior (Hetherington & Kelly 2002). Similarly, in midlife, the stress of providing care for elderly parents interferes with caregivers’ ability to maintain healthy habits, resulting in more sedentary behavior, alcohol consumption, and smoking (Pinquart & Sorensen 2007, Vitaliano et al. 2003).
