Relationships

What is a relationship?

A connection, association, or involvement between persons by blood or marriage or through emotional or other connections between people.

What are the barriers to a healthy relationship?

The past
If you have had difficult and painful past experiences with relationships it might make you more guarded and mistrusting.

The present
A lack of positive examples in your life may have made it difficult to learn how to find and build healthy relationships.

Communication
Communication between partners is difficult or non-existent, meaning needs don’t get met.

Jealousy
Jealousy can makes people mistrusting and controlling and could start arguments and make the other person feel undervalued.

Case study

“I was really upset and angry with my friend because I found out she had been through my phone. We had a huge row. I was really confused and hurt and found it almost impossible to concentrate in my classes. My teacher told me to go and see the support coach.

“They listened to me and didn’t judge me. They talked about relationships and expectations. I feel as if I can cope more and understand my feelings better. They gave me information about websites that helped too. I feel as if I could talk to my girlfriend now rather than just losing my temper. It was good to know that there was someone I could talk to.”

Top five tips to a positive relationship

1Speak up
In a healthy relationship, if something is bothering you, it’s best to talk about it instead of holding it in.
2Respect each other
Your partner’s wishes and feelings have value, and so do yours. Let your significant other know you are making an effort to keep their ideas in mind. Mutual respect is essential in maintaining healthy relationships.
3Compromise
Disagreements are a natural part of healthy relationships, but it’s important that you find a way to compromise if you disagree on something. Try to solve conflicts in a fair and rational way.
4Be supportive
Offer reassurance and encouragement to each other. Also, let your partner know when you need their support. Healthy relationships are about building each other up, not putting each other down.
5Repect each other's privacy
Just because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean you have to share everything and constantly be together. Healthy relationships require space.