Relationships

• Definition
• Requirements
• Effects

• Measurement

  • Objective measurement

    • Breakdown
  • Subjective measurement
• Factors

• Ideals

  • Consider your needs
  • Fulfill your needs
  • Track your needs
• Resources

Definition

• To have positive relationships
• To have connectedness
• To have community
• To have close connections
• To have social support
• To belong
• To relate
• To connect

Requirements

• Other people

Effects

Relationships have notable effects on one's body and brain.

(This section is incomplete and requires an Effects table for a full breakdown of the effects of neglect and fulfillment of this needs. If you'd like to help out, please volunteer.)

Measurement

Objective measurement

• Number of close, dependable, positive relationships

Breakdown

Because the number of a person's close, dependable, positive relationships rarely changes on daily basis, this measurement needn't be tracked every day. Instead, this can measured in a longer intervals, such as months. This number can be obtained by simply answering the question:

• How many people do you have a close, positive relationship with that you know you could depend on them in a time of need?

Subjective measurement

• Overall, I am satisfied and content with my relationships.
• I have good, positive relationships.
• I am well-connected.
• I am not lonely.
• I feel a sense of belonging.
• I have a good amount of close, positive relationships.
• I have all the positive relationships I need.
• My closest relationships are positive and dependable.
• I feel a sense of community.
• I am active in a community.
• I am accepted by a community.
• I have good social support.
• My relationships are supportive.
• I relate well with others.
• I share mutual understandings in my close relationships.
• I have people with whom I can talk to about basically anything.
• There are people in life who really care about me.
• I really care about others.
• I am satisfied and content in my ability to provide others with support.
• I help and support others when they need it.
• I actively contribute to the well-being of others.
• I get along with the people in my life.
• I regularly share conversations with others.
• It is easy for me to maintain close relationships.
• I feel loved.
• I feel appreciated.
• I feel respected.
• I have people with whom I can share vulnerable and private discussions.
• I have people with whom I can discuss intimate and personal matters.
• I receive help and support from others when I need it.

Factors

Relationship needs vary from person to person depending on personal differences including:

• Personality type

• Personal life events

  • Number of stressors
  • Intensity of stressors

Ideals

Ideally every human should

• Have at least 2–3 close, dependable, positive relationships with other people
• Feel well-connected and satisfied with personal relationships
• Have a sense of community, belonging, and social connection
• Understand personal relationship needs
• Track relationship needs weekly and/or monthly

• Fulfill personal relationship needs

  • Regularly connect with other people
  • Regularly develop close relationships

• Set weekly and/or monthly goals based on personal needs

  • Build and maintain healthy, dependable relationships and connections

Consider your needs

Consider how many close, positive relationships you need and how often you need to spend time connecting with others to feel connected, supported, and content. At a base human level, everyone needs at least 2–3 dependable relationships and should connect with others at least every other day. Personal factors that might contribute to a greater need for close relationships and connection are an extroverted personality type or significantly stressful life events and circumstances. Conversely, introversion might lead one to not need a greater quantity of close relationships beyond 2–3 nor need to spend as much time connecting with others.

Fulfill your needs

Be intentional about setting aside the time you need to stay well-connected to the people you share close, positive relationships with or to develop new relationships, ensuring you have the healthy, dependable relationships you need.

Track your needs

Try to measure your relationship needs weekly or at least monthly.

// Use the Fostering Flourishing tool (not made yet)

Resources

• Wikipedia: Outline of relationships

  • Social connection
  • Interpersonal relationship
  • Belongingness
  • Sense of community
  • Social support

(This section is incomplete and requires more resources. If you'd like to help out, please volunteer.)