Explain the processes involved in the development, maintenance and breakdown of relationships

Development: After introduction or attraction between participants, a relationship moves onto the development stage. It usually occurs when participants get attracted to one another, show mutual interests and bear same thoughts, dislikes, notion and intellect on various subjects.

Maintenance: Maintenance of relationship requires maintaining basic reciprocity between participants. It may include celebrating something together, exchanging gifts, inviting one another to celebration, providing active support to one another and indulgement. They also build trust by following commitments made to one another in this process.

Breakdown of relationship: This is the process when a relationship ends. A relationship can come to this stage if it is not being properly maintained. There is also a chance of breaking down a relationship at development stage, especially, when participants misinterpret their relationship objectives. Let me give you an example how misinterpretation can occur. Mr. X fell in love with Miss Y at first sight where Miss Y’s approach was to maintain just a professional relationship.

Md Foisal Miah Talukdar

Describe the possible impact of difficult or dysfunctional relationships on an individual’s well-being and self esteem

Let me start with a common quote occasionally I hear “I have nothing to live for”.

Many individuals may feel lonely and low self-esteem because of dysfunctional or difficult relationship. Dysfunctional or difficult relationship can contribute stress and depression on individual’s health and wellbeing. Due to lack of other human contact, social network or any supportive relationship, an individual may suffer emotional and psychological turmoil in their life. It can affect their self esteem, trust and fairness to others. Some individual may not be able to cope with this kind of mental stress or adapt with this change and become violent and aggressive or even can commit suicide.

By Md Foisal Miah Talukdar