Positive Relationships

Relationships are at the heart of our lives; at home with our families, with our friends, in schools and colleges, with colleagues at the workplace and in our diverse communities. The quality of these relationships determines our individual well-being, how well we learn, develop and function, our sense of connectedness with others and the health so society. This unique volume brings together authorities from across the world to write about how relationships might be enhanced in all these different areas of our lives. It also explores how to address the challenges involved in establishing and maintaining positive relationships. This evidence-based book, primarily grounded in the science of positive psychology, is valuable for academics, especially psychologists and professionals, working in the field of well-being.

Enhancing well-being in relationships from a positive psychology perspective Evidence based effective interactions Addresses relationships across contexts Brings together established authorities from diverse disciplines

Autorentext
Sue Roffey is a psychologist, academic and author. She is currently adjunct research fellow at the University of Western Sydney and educational consultant. Her research and publications highlight the importance of participation, a sense of belonging, relational values and relational quality for wellbeing and the development of pro-social behaviour. Sue is a founding member of the Wellbeing Australia Network and on the NSW Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Klappentext

Relationships are threaded through every aspect of our lives, at home, at school, at work and at play. They are the foundation of our greatest happiness but can also be the cause of our deepest despair. Despite how crucial they are, we may not give much thought to relationships except when they go wrong - whether this is lost intimacy, violence in our communities or toxic working environments.

This highly accessible book takes a positive psychology approach to explore why healthy relationships are important for resilience, mental health and peaceful communities, how people learn relationships and what helps in developing the positive.

There is something here for everyone in both their personal and professional lives - and for students who anticipate working with people in any capacity. Chapters provide a wealth of evidence on promoting optimal interactions between couples, friends, parents and children and community groups. Authors address positive environments at work and at school, mentoring relationships, a new paradigm for relational leadership and how to foster tolerance between people of different faiths. Others explore what is best for children after family breakdown, how to ensure that conflict is more about learning than losing and what might help repair relationships that are damaged. Authors are academics and practitioners from across the world providing both evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence. Examples and case-studies throughout each chapter illustrate what works.

Overarching themes include seeking what we have in common rather than what divides us, fostering positive communication practices, building social capital and what it means to treat each other with respect. The science of positive psychology shows that relationships can offer real meaning and sustainable fulfilment in our lives. Knowing what promotes the positive is the first step to authentic wellbeing.

Inhalt

1. Introduction; Sue Roffey.- 2. Wellbeing and Resilience in Young People and the Role of Positive Relationships; Toni Noble and Helen McGrath - 3. Peaceful and Compassionate Futures: positive relationships as an antidote to violence; Robyn Hromek and Nagela Walsh - 4. Learning about Relationships; Gretchen Brion-Meisels and Stephanie Jones - 5. Positive Couple Relationships: the evidence for long lasting relationship satisfaction and happiness; Vagdevi Meunier and Wayne Baker - 6. Positive Parent-child Relationships; Kimberly O'Brien and Jane Mosco - 7. Promoting Positive Outcomes for Children Experiencing Change in Family Relationships; Emilia Dowling and Di Elliot - 8. Friendships: the Power of Positive Alliance; Karen Majors - 9. Developing Positive Relationships in Schools; Sue Roffey - 10. Positive Relationships at Work; Sue Langley - 11. Positive Professional Relationships; Elizabeth Gillies - 12. Positive Mentoring Relationships: nuturing potential; Ann Brewer - 13. Spirited Leadership: growing leaders for the future; Hilary Armstrong - 14. Positive Community Relations: border crossings and re-positioning the "other"; Florence McCarthy and Margaret Vickers ****- 15. Positive Relations between Members of Groups with Divergent Beliefs and Cultures; Zalman Kastel - 16. Conflict and Confrontation; Lois Edmund - 17. The repair and restoration of relationships; Peta Blood