Resilience is an important skill for individuals to have, especially in situations where they are dealing with stressors that can be detrimental to their mental health. This is especially true for couples who face systemic discrimination or marginalization. Relational resilience refers to the ability of a couple to maintain and strengthen their relationship despite facing adversities such as societal pressures, cultural norms, and external forces that may threaten their bond. In order to develop relational resilience, couples must learn how to navigate these challenges together and find ways to support each other through them.
One way that couples can build relational resilience is by developing a shared sense of purpose and identity. They should work towards understanding each other's values and beliefs, and how those align with their own. This helps them to form a strong foundation upon which they can weather any storms that come their way.
Couples should strive to communicate openly and honestly with one another, sharing both positive and negative experiences without judgment or blame.
Another key component of relational resilience is self-care. Couples need to take care of themselves individually so that they can better take care of their relationship. This includes making time for hobbies and activities outside of the relationship, prioritizing physical and mental wellbeing, and setting boundaries around work, family responsibilities, and social commitments. It also involves engaging in regular self-reflection to identify areas of growth and improvement within the relationship.
Couples can practice empathy and compassion when dealing with difficult situations. When faced with stressors, it can be easy to focus on oneself or blame one's partner. Instead, couples should work towards understanding the other person's perspective and show kindness and acceptance. This can help to create a safe space where both individuals feel heard and understood, even during times of conflict.
Building relational resilience takes intentional effort and communication between partners. By working together to develop a shared sense of purpose, practicing self-care, and showing empathy, couples can navigate adversity and strengthen their bond.
How do couples develop relational resilience in the face of systemic discrimination or marginalization?
Research on relational resilience suggests that couples can develop it by communicating openly with one another, building trust, being emotionally supportive, developing healthy conflict resolution skills, maintaining positive beliefs about their relationship, engaging in self-care practices, and seeking professional help when necessary (e. g. , counseling).