Relationships help us we discover who we are, a sense of identity is formed in relationships with others. We learn to cooperate or compete, a sense of autonomy and to know our own mind, interdependence and how to resolve the inevitable conflict. They also aid a sense of security and self-worth, fed by a subjective appraisal of self, and by feedback from others about performance of expected roles.
A healthy sense of self-worth is related to feeling psychologically in control and having a sense of purpose in life. The benefits of enduring relationships upon a person’s mental and physical health are well documented.
People with strong personal connections are both healthier and happier than people who are more alone in the world. And it is certainly possible to build skills that will help us to develop effective relationships.
