Personal Development Lesson 7
Personal Development Lesson 7
Personal Development Lesson 7
Personal Relationships
The concept of relationship is very broad and complex. In our model, personal relationships refer to close
connections between people, formed by emotional bonds and interactions. These bonds often grow from and
are strengthened by mutual experiences.
Relationships are not static; they are continually evolving, and to fully enjoy and benefit from them we need
skills, information, inspiration, practice, and social support. In our model there are three kinds of personal
relationships:
Family
The concept of "family" is an essential component in any discussion of Relationships, but this varies greatly
from person to person. The Bureau of the Census defines family as "two or more persons who are related by
birth, marriage, or adoption and who live together as one household." But many people have family they don't
live with or to whom they are not bonded by love, and the roles of family vary across cultures as well as
throughout your own lifetime. Some typical characteristics of a family are support, mutual trust, regular
interactions, shared beliefs and values, security, and a sense of community.
Although the concept of "family" is one of the oldest in human nature, its definition has evolved considerably in
the past three decades. Non-traditional family structures and roles can provide as much comfort and support
as traditional forms.
Friends
A friendship can be thought of as a close tie between two people that is often built upon mutual experiences,
shared interests, proximity, and emotional bonding. Friends are able to turn to each other in times of need.
Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler, social-network researchers and authors of the book Connected, find
that the average person has about six close ties—though some have more, and many have only one ornone.
Note that online friends don’t count toward close ties—research indicates that a large online network isn’t
nearly as powerful as having a few closes, real-life friends.
Romantic partnerships, including marriage, are close relationships formed between two people that are built
upon affection, trust, intimacy, and romantic love. We usually experience this kind of relationship with only one
person at a time.
Healthy relationships are a vital component of health and wellbeing. There is compelling evidence that strong
relationships contribute to a long, healthy, and happy life. Conversely, the health risks from being alone or
isolated in one's life are comparable to the risks associated with cigarette smoking, blood pressure, and
obesity.
Research shows that healthy relationships can help you:
1. Live longer
A review of 148 studies found that people with strong social relationships are 50% less likely to die
prematurely. Similarly, Dan Buettner’s Blue Zones research calculates that committing to a life partner can
add 3 years to life expectancy (Researchers Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler have found that men’s life
expectancy benefits from marriage more than women’s do.)
The support offered by a caring friend can provide a buffer against the effects of stress. In a study of over 100
people, researchers found that people who completed a stressful task experienced a faster recovery when
they were reminded of people with whom they had strong relationships. (Those who were reminded of
stressful relationships, on the other hand, experienced even more stress and higher blood pressure.)
3. Be healthier
According to research by psychologist Sheldon Cohen, college students who reported having strong
relationships were half as likely to catch a common cold when exposed to the virus. In addition, 2012
international Gallup poll found that people who feel they have friends and family to count on are generally
more satisfied with their personal health than people who feel isolated. And hanging out with healthy people
increases your own likelihood of health—in their book Connected, Christakis and Fowler show that non-obese
people are more likely to have non-obese friends because healthy habits spread through our social networks.
4. Feel richer
A survey by the National Bureau of Economic Research of 5,000 people found that doubling your group of
friends has the same effect on your wellbeing as a 50% increase in income!
On the other hand, low social support is linked to a number of health consequences, such as:
5. Depression
Loneliness has long been commonly associated with depression, and now research is backing this correlation
up: a 2012 study of breast cancer patients found that those with fewer satisfying social connections
experienced higher levels of depression, pain, and fatigue.
Decreased immune function
The authors of the same study also found a correlation between loneliness and immune system dysregulation,
meaning that a lack of social connections can increase your chances of becoming sick.
Higher blood pressure
According to psychiatrists Jacqueline Olds and Richard Schwartz, social alienation is an inevitable
result of contemporary society's preoccupation with materialism and frantic "busy-ness." Their
decades of research support the idea that a lack of relationships can cause multiple problems with
physical, emotional, and spiritual health. The research is clear and devastating: isolation is fatal.
TEN RULES FOR FINDING LOVE AND CREATING LONG- LASTING AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS
1. How would you describe teenage relationships based on the descriptions of love discussed in this chapter?
2. What do you think is the ideal kind of love? Explain your answer.
3. What is your opinion about online relationships? Is cyber platform a good place to start relationship?
1. What should you consider when making decisions around sex and sexual limits?
a. Your values
b. Your friends
c. Your family
d. All of the above
5. Name a reason why you may not make healthy choices when it comes to sex.
6. Name three resources you can turn to if you are worried about abuse
in your relationship.
10. Which of the following are signs that you may be in an abusive
relationship?
a. Bruises, scratches and other signs of injuries
b. Avoiding friends
c. Apologizing for your partner`s behavior
d. All of the above
e.
Put a HEART before each statement that you think is a sign of a healthy relationship; put an X on
each statement that you think is a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
http://washingteenhelp.org/your-relationships/your-love-life
http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/enhance-your-wellbeing/relationships/what-do-we-mean-personal-
relationships
http://angellovecards.com/assets/luminaries/drcherrieLOVEposter.pdf
http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/enhance-your-wellbeing/relationships/why-personal-relationships-are-
important