Final answer:
The statement is false; illness according to the germ theory of disease is caused by microorganisms, not tensions between people.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the interpersonal theory of disease assumes illness is caused by tensions or conflicts between different people is false. This assumption is more closely related to psychological or sociological theories that may examine the mental and social aspects of health and illness. The germ theory of disease, on the other hand, posits that diseases are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, which grow and reproduce within hosts, thereby making them sick. This theory supports the view of illness being an attributable physical condition caused by identifiable pathogens, rather than a result of interpersonal conflicts.