The Current Do you have a “hassler” in your life?
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Mar 10, 2026 Bria Perry, sociologist and associate director at the Irsay Institute studying social ties and aging. She talks about who counts as a "hassler" and how researchers map networks and use epigenetic clocks. Short explanations cover how hasslers can speed biological aging, where hasslers are most often found, and practical approaches for setting boundaries and reflecting on one’s own behavior.
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Partner's Dad Illustrates A Family Hassler
- A Vancouver woman described her partner's dad who only contacts family when he needs something and overstays his welcome.
- She said interactions make her partner anxious, like 'walking on eggshells,' and conversations with him feel like talking to a wall.
Hasslers Tend To Be Family Not Friends
- Hasslers are most often family members rather than friends and they take more than they give.
- Bria Perry says family hasslers persist because ties are emotionally intense, long lasting and hard to escape, increasing conflict and stress.
Network Maps Linked To Biological Aging
- The study combined personal social network maps with saliva-based epigenetic clocks to link relationships to biological aging.
- Researchers collected named contacts plus follow-up questions and measured biological age via epigenetic clocks from saliva.