Relationship Interventions to Promote Physical Health: A Fresh Look with an Emphasis on Primary Prevention in the...

Relationship processes such as social support have been reliably related to physical health outcomes and the focus of intense intervention efforts. This paper emphasizes the potential of early family primary prevention efforts to improve physical health outcomes across the lifespan.

Selective narrative review of the literature.

Primary prevention efforts can capitalize on lifespan models that highlight the importance of the early family environment. Preliminary studies are consistent with the promise of such approaches in altering health-relevant biological pathways in the child.

Relationship and health interventions that focus on primary prevention are underutilized and should receive greater attention given its potential long-term impacts on psychosocial processes, biological function, and physical health.