ust as our bodies need exercise, our cars need tune-ups, and our gardens need te

ust as our bodies need exercise, our cars need tune-ups, and our gardens need tending, our relationships need ongoing maintenance in order to keep them mutually satisfying and healthy (Dainton & Myers, 2020). And, when life becomes challenging, healthy interpersonal relationships can help ease the burden of the struggles that everyone faces now and then (Lakey, 2013).
At the most basic level, relational maintenance refers to a variety of behaviors used by partners in an effort to stay together. Researchers have identified five strategies that romantic couples use to keep their interaction satisfying (Ogolsky & Bowers, 2013). It is important to note, however, that these strategies can be applied to any relationship, not just romantic ones.
Assignment Overview
Last week we read about the development of interpersonal relationships. Whether or not you have a romantic relationship, ALL relationships that are going to last require maintenance. We have talked about some general tips for relational maintenance including creating a supportive climate and expressing gratitude. This week you will get to reflect on specific things you do to maintain your relationship. Doing this to maintain a healthy relationship can also serve to ensure that your conflict are more likely to be functional and constructive rather than dysfunctional and destructive.
Objectives
After completing this assignment, you will be able to synthesize information from various chapters and apply to your own relational maintenance practices.
Instructions
For this assignment, using either your romantic relationship or a close relationship that is important to you (this can be with a parent, family member, or best friend). Be sure to make specific reference to no fewer than two relevant course concepts to support and illustrate your claims. Please develop and post a response to all six sections below (you are encouraged to work on this assignment with the person in this relationship with you):
Positivity: Do we communicate in a way that we find enjoyable by complimenting, doing favors, and being fun and interesting?
Specific things we already do
Specific things we can begin to do
Openness: Do we communicate honestly about the relationship and about our lives?
Specific things we already do
Specific things we can begin to do
Assurances: Do we communicate our ongoing commitment to the relationship in word and action?
Specific things we already do
Specific things we can begin to do
Sharing activities: Do we engage in activities together and share common interests?
Specific things we already do
Specific things we can begin to do
Sharing tasks: Do we share chores and daily tasks?
Specific things we already do
Specific things we can begin to do
Social Networks: Do we actively involve family and friends in our relationship?
Specific things we already do
Specific things we can begin to do
*Adapted from Adler, Rosenfeld, and Proctor’s Interplay, 2021
Dainton, M., & Myers, S.A. (2020). Communication and relationship management. San Diego, CA: Cognella.
Lakey, B. (2013). Social support processes in relationships. In J.A. Simpson & L. Campbell (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of close relationships (pp. 711-730). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Ogolsky, B. G., & Bowers, J. R. (2013). A meta-analytic review of relationship maintenance and its correlates. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30, 343-367.