Healthy Interpersonal Relationships

1. What are the characteristics of intimate relationships? What are behavioral interdependence, need fulfillment, emotional attachment, and emotional availability? Why is each important in relationship development?

The four characteristics of intimate relationships are behavioral interdependence, emotional attachment, need fulfillment, and emotional availability. Behavioral interdependence is the mutual affect that people have on one another as their lives and daily activities intertwine. Emotional attachment relates to feelings of love. Need fulfillment is the ability to fulfill psychological needs within an intimate relationship. Emotional availability is the ability to give to emotionally and to receive emotionally from others without the fear of being rejected or hurt. Lacking any of the four characteristics in relationship development would result into bad and short-term relationships.

2. What problems might form barriers to intimacy? What actions can you take to reduce or remove these barriers?

Lack of personal identity, emotional immaturity, a poorly developed sense of responsibility, individual insecurities, and difficulties in recognizing and expressing emotional needs are problems that might form barriers to intimacy. Communication is an element that could reduce these barriers.

3. What are the common elements of healthy relationships? What are some common warning signs of trouble? What actions can you take to improve your own interpersonal relationships?

Good communication, friendship, and trust are common elements of healthy relationships. Common warning signs of trouble are dishonesty and lack of communication. An action I could take to improve my own interpersonal relationships is to better my communicating skills.

4. Why is social support important to an individual’s health and wellness? What type of social support do you have that has positively affected your health and wellness?

Social support plays a...