Emotional stability refers to the ability of an individual to manage their emotions effectively under various situations. It can be described as the ability to remain calm even when faced with difficult circumstances. Emotionally stable individuals are more likely to have healthy relationships because they know how to deal with stressful situations. Individuals with low levels of emotional stability often find it hard to form and maintain healthy relationships due to their impulsive behavior. Therefore, emotional stability plays a vital role in relational cohesion during adversity.
Relational cohesion is an essential aspect of every relationship. This concept explains that a healthy relationship involves mutual dependence, commitment, and attachment between two people. Relationships that lack this component tend to fail. During adversity, partners must work together to overcome challenges. The level of cohesion present in such a relationship determines its success or failure. Relational cohesion is highly dependent on emotional stability because both parties need to be emotionally balanced to create a good foundation for future conflicts.
If one partner has a history of anxiety disorders, it would be challenging to build a strong bond. Such a person tends to react negatively to minor issues, which might lead to irreconcilable differences. Therefore, emotional stability is crucial in building relational cohesion.
During adversity, individuals may feel stressed out, anxious, depressed, or angry. These feelings affect the way they communicate with others. Emotionally unstable persons tend to act irrationally when faced with challenges, leading to conflict within the family. In contrast, emotionally stable individuals handle these situations calmly, thus reducing the chances of misunderstandings. As such, emotional stability helps to preserve relational cohesion during difficult times. If couples are not emotionally stable, communication becomes more complex, resulting in arguments and disagreements. In such cases, there is a high likelihood that the relationship will break down due to emotional instability.
Emotional stability also helps individuals to maintain their self-esteem even in trying situations. Individuals who have low levels of self-esteem tend to blame themselves for problems, making it hard to remain calm during adversity. Self-blaming can make them lose hope and become emotionally unstable, hence affecting their ability to sustain relationships. On the other hand, emotionally stable people know how to manage their thoughts and actions even when under pressure. They do not allow their negative emotions to interfere with their decision-making process. This aspect makes them better equipped to deal with stressful situations.
If one partner loses his/her job, he/she needs to be emotionally stable to help the couple cope with the situation. The ability to control one's emotions allows partners to stay strong, which builds trust between them.
Emotional stability plays a vital role in building healthy relationships. It promotes effective communication skills, which creates a solid foundation for conflict resolution. Emotionally stable individuals are less likely to blame themselves or others for challenges, thus preserving relational cohesion. During adversity, emotional stability encourages mutual support systems to thrive within the family. Partners can work together to overcome challenges by relying on each other. Therefore, couples need to ensure that they maintain emotional stability to preserve their relationship through good times and bad.
How does emotional stability affect the capacity to maintain relational cohesion during adversity?
Relationship cohesion is defined as an interdependent process that involves mutual understanding and support between two individuals in a relationship. It can be influenced by various factors such as communication styles, individual differences, conflict resolution patterns, and socioeconomic status (Seligman, 1990). Individuals with high levels of emotional stability tend to have better coping mechanisms which enable them to manage stressful situations effectively.