Healthy Relationships

The Ohio State University

Student Wellness Center

DEFINITION: What is a Relationship?

Type of connection existing between people related to or having communication with each other.

Could be Romantic or Intimate.

Characteristics of a Healthy Relationship

Open Communication Mutual Respect Honesty Trust Support Fairness/Equality

“So, Uh…What Are We?”

According to research, there are many stages that a couple goes through in their relationship together. These stages are:

Attachment & Courting

Differences & Power Struggles

Identity Formation

Balance & Unconditional Acceptance

Stage 1:Attachment & Courting Phase A.K.A. Romantic Love

phase. Developing emotional

attachment “Falling in Love” Infatuation and Passion Strong sexual desire

Stage 2: Dealing with Differences/Power Struggles

Conflicts and disagreements are intertwined with emotions.

Boundaries and personal space sometimes violated.

Feeling claustrophic “I just need some

space”

Stage 3: Identity Formation

Partners develop who they are within the relationship.

Characteristics can be intertwined, yet still separate.

Has the ability to create more features visible and balanced.

Stage 4: Balance & Unconditional Acceptance

Deeper Intimacy Sharing intimate

secrets and thoughts Desires Emotional Support

System Giving of each other in

many aspects of the relationship

Issues In Relationships

Jealousy

Consequences of Jealousy

When a Relationship Goes Sour….

How do you recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship?

What to Look For:

Manipulation Controlling Criticizing Intimidation Unhappy in the

relationship Threatening or

mistreating

How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship

The ingredients are simple: Appreciate each other’s qualities Stay true to your partner Have good communication Keep realistic expectations for your partner Have shared interests Have the ability to face and deal with conflicts together Value yourself and your partner

Not All Relationships Last Forever….

When its time to say goodbye….

There is no right or wrong ways to say goodbye, but there are several guidelines for being fair, courteous, and considerate.

Guidelines to Follow…

Face-to-face vs. phone/email Be honest about your feelings. Space Support New relationships Friendship after a relationship?

Helpful Tips

Knowing the steps and stages It is up to you to make your own decisions

about your life, take charge. Knowing that not every relationship is the

same can also help you to understand what is right for you.

Resources Guide

The OSU Student Wellness Center B130 RPAC…..292-4527 www.swc.osu.edu

OSU Student Advocacy Center…292-1111

24-Hour Rape Helpline… 267-7020

OSU Campus Police…292-2121 www.ps.ohio-state.edu

Columbus Police Department…911 ww.columbuspolice.org

OSU Counseling and Consultation Services…292-5766 www.ccs.ohio-state.edu/

Resident Halls..if you live in a residence hall, your Hall Director can assist you.

References Brain, Marshall. The Teenagers Guide to the Real World. 1st ed. Raleigh:

BYG, Inc., 1997. Dreikurs, Ruthellen. The Space Between Us: Exploring the Dimensions of

Human Relationships. San Francisco:Jossey-Bass, 1992. "Healthy Relationships." The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Apr. 2006 <www.acadv.org>. Hersch, Patricia. A Tribe Apart: a Journey Into the Heart of American

Adolescence. New York: Ballantine Books, 1998. Ketterman, Dr. Grace. Verbal Abuse: Healing the Hidden Wound. Ann Arbor:

Servant Publications, 1992. Reese, Rosanne. Personal interview. 2 May 2006. "Romantic Love." Wikipedia: Onlince Encyclapedia. 26 May 2006. Wikimedia

Foundation, Inc. May 2006 <www.wikipedia.org>. Schipper, Deborah. Personal interview. May 2006. Young, Mark A. "Healthy Relationships: Where's the Research?" The

Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families 12 (2004): 159-162. Academic SearchPremier. Columbus. Apr. 2006. Keyword: healthy relationships.