Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 30, 1990                   TAG: 9007280320
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ROCHESTER, N.Y.                                LENGTH: Short

GOOD FRIENDS SERVE AS A PLEASANT TONIC

"Findings culled from many studies suggest that those who are emotionally close to at least one person are more content with their lives in general and better able to cope with stress and bounce back from tough times," says Harry Reis.

Reis also says studies find that those with close relationships have more resistance to infections and illnesses and are less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol than those without them.

"There's little doubt that close emotional relationships are important to an individual's well being from childhood through adult life," says Reis, a psychologist at the University of Rochester's College of Arts and Science who has been studying loneliness and emotional closeness to others for more than 15 years.