American novelist John Steinbeck once wrote, “A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.” Recent research states he was more right than he knew.

The holidays can be one of the most stressful times of the year for many people, especially for those who don’t have anyone to spend them with. It might also be killing them.

People who are lonely are 50 percent more likely to die earlier than those who are not lonely, according to recent research.

Doctors Mavis Tsai and Robert J. Kohlenberg, psychologists and professors at the University of Washington, have wanted to examine the benefits of building stronger social connections for some time. Thanks to an anonymous donor, their dream was realized.

The Center for Science of Social Connection, part of the college’s psychology department, opened earlier this year with a new study aimed at giving people the tools they need to strengthen bonds between each one another.

“Relationships are the essence of life,” Tsai told the Reporter. “My dream is that anyone, in any city, can find a meeting, to find other people who want to connect with each other in meaningful ways and are willing to be vulnerable.”

With the help of one of Kohlenberg’s former pupils, Dr. Jonathan Kanter, the center is up and running, moving closer to her vision. A group of scientists are currently investigating what best helps build better relationship bonds between pairs of people.

“Interpersonal connection is beneficial to human health and happiness in fundamentally different ways,” Kohlenberg said. “For example, people who are in strong, healthy relationships heal from cuts ad bruises faster than those who don’t have those bonds with someone.”

Each of the therapists and those assisting in the research each went through the same process participants are currently going through, with someone they wanted to get closer with, Mavis said.

The initial results have shown immense success, she said.

Stephanie Haque, of Bellevue, said she’s already seen improvements in her relationships.

Haque, who decided to go back to school after a successful decade-long career as a nurse to study psychology, joined the center several months ago.

“I really loved their vision of and for behavioral science,” she said. “I believe we’re a byproduct of our biology and I’ve been fascinated with psychology. What I’ve learned in this lab, and what participants are learning can be taken home. I’ve already started applying it to have an even better relationship with my kids. “

Each pair of participants who finished all three of the Center’s assessments and all four of the sessions held by one of the trained therapists will be paid $200 cash, Mavis said.

The study is open to any two people, whether they’re in a romantic relationship, friends, a parent and child older than 18, or any other kind of relationship between two people who want to get closer, she said.

For more information about the study or to sign up visit www.uwconnectionsstudy.com or call 206-221-4296.

The following questions were designed to create stronger bonds in relationships. According to Dr. Mavis Tsai, the holidays provide a prime opportunity to get closer.

1. What have been the most cherished experiences/memories of your life?

2. What is your personal motto?

3. Who is the hero to you in your/our family?  Why?

4. What’s important for you to experience or accomplish before you die?

5. Do you have fears about aging or dying? What are they?

6. What are your most important priorities about dying (e.g., dignity, no pain, holding on as long as possible, loved ones present)?

7. What will you teach your grandchildren?

8. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with

anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?

9. What do you dream or wonder about?

10. Tell us something about yourself that feels risky to share.