interpersonal strain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interpersonal strain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe stress or tension that occurs in relationships between individuals, often in social or professional contexts. Example: "The constant disagreements between team members led to significant interpersonal strain, affecting overall productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

According to the CIPD survey, the most commonly cited cause of conflict is warring egos and personality clashes leading to interpersonal strain, followed by poor leadership from the top.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

However, moderation analysis indicated that the laboratory field association did not vary with sex, age, SES, background stress (assessed with measures of financial, neighbourhood and interpersonal strain), depressive symptoms and mood over the monitoring day.

Biological Psychology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

On "Star Trek," the interpersonal strains on the U.S.S.

The New York Times

The pressure of working together produced the predictable interpersonal strains.

The New York Times

After the establishment of the space age physicians, human factors engineers, neurologist and psychologists and their special attention to work on people's capability to meet up the physical, psychological, neuroscience and interpersonal strains of working in space, it has been regarded as an issue that seeks urgent consideration.

Neuroscience Letters

Some SRAP participants we interviewed mentioned instances where efforts to promote synergy proved distracting and strained interpersonal and inter-organizational relationships.

BMC Health Services Research

The morbidity of osteoporotic fractures, especially those of the hip and spine, are a strain on interpersonal relationships between patients and their families.

Core Evidence

The social relationships made difficult by reduced interpersonal functioning may be further strained by poverty.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Debate about stress and interpersonal relationships.

BMC Public Health

The worsening of mental health would not be an expected outcome from the surgery itself, but may be related to external influences (e.g., increased interpersonal conflict due to financial or marital strain related to being unwell).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Rawls (1971) has argued that the sort of interpersonal sacrifice that utilitarianism requires violates the strains of commitment in a well-ordered society.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing workplace issues, use "interpersonal strain" to refer to tension stemming from personality clashes or communication problems among colleagues.

Common error

While "interpersonal strain" is a valid phrase, it sounds somewhat formal. Reserve it for professional or academic writing, and use simpler terms like "relationship stress" in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interpersonal strain" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a state of tension or difficulty in relationships. Ludwig indicates its use in both scientific and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interpersonal strain" is a noun phrase that refers to tension or stress within relationships, as affirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct, it is relatively rare and best suited for neutral or formal contexts such as news reports or scientific writing. Common causes of "interpersonal strain" include poor communication and conflicting goals. When writing, consider simpler alternatives like "relationship stress" in more casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strained relations

General phrase indicating difficulty or awkwardness in the connection between people.

uneasy relationships

Suggests underlying tension and discomfort in the way people interact.

relationship friction

Focuses more on minor conflicts and everyday annoyances in a relationship.

relational stress

Emphasizes the psychological and emotional impact of relationship difficulties.

interpersonal conflict

Highlights overt disagreement and potential clashes between people.

social tension

Broadens the scope to include discomfort and unease within social groups.

discord in relationships

Points to a lack of harmony and agreement within personal connections.

personal friction

Highlights clashes and disagreements arising from individual differences.

communication breakdown

Emphasizes failed communication as a primary source of relationship issues.

lack of rapport

Highlights the absence of a harmonious connection or mutual understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "interpersonal strain" in a sentence?

You can use "interpersonal strain" to describe tension in relationships, such as, "The project's tight deadlines caused "interpersonal strain" among team members".

What can I say instead of "interpersonal strain"?

You can use alternatives like "relationship friction", "relational stress", or "strained relations" depending on the context.

Is "interpersonal strain" a formal phrase?

Yes, "interpersonal strain" is considered more formal. Simpler alternatives like "relationship problems" or "social tension" might be more appropriate for casual contexts.

What causes "interpersonal strain"?

"Interpersonal strain" can be caused by various factors, including personality clashes, poor communication, conflicting goals, or "stress"ful work environments.