Toxic Ties and the Downside of Connections
Psychology Today
by Alexander Danvers Ph.D.February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Toxic Ties and the Downside of Connections: Negative Social Relationships Can Accelerate Aging
New research reveals that toxic relationships—those characterized by chronic stress or negativity—can have profound effects on both mental and physical health. A study published in PNAS found that exposure to negative social ties, such as difficult family members or coworkers, accelerates biological aging at a rate comparable to smoking. By analyzing data from over 2,300 adults, researchers discovered that each additional "hassler" in a person's
Verticals
healthmental-health
Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/24/2026