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Introduction to Family and Relationship Issues

Family & Relationship Issues

Welcome to our Family and Relationship Issues topic center. Whoever we are, we are all very much shaped by those who raised us, our parents and/or caregivers. We are the product of human relationships, and most of us spend our days within the context of relationships with other people. We need other people to be close to us in our lives, or we tend to get sick. Who we are is very much a function of where we have come from, and who we surround ourselves with.

Despite their vital importance in our lives, relationships can be very difficult to manage. We expect our intimate partners to provide for many of our needs, but often find that differing expectations, frustration, and a need to be right create conditions for conflict and erosion of intimacy. Angels though they may be, our children test us for weaknesses and we don't always pass. Our adult parents grow older and require care, placing a burden on our other responsibilities. A diverse set of communicati...More

Fast Facts: Learn! Fast!

What are healthy communication skills that should be used in relationships with others?

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What are effective conflict resolution skills that should be used in relationships with others?

  • It’s normal to have conflict in relationships, but resolving disagreements in a healthy way creates understanding and brings couples closer together.
  • Learn the 3 most common and ineffective ways conflict is handled in intimate relationships and how to better handle it.
  • Discover 4 strategies will help couples and families balance the needs of others with their own, and make the holiday season more enjoyable for all.
  • In your quest as a parent to help your child understand the difference between good and bad, right and wrong and what it means to be respectful to others, there will inevitably be times when your child resists or you miscommunicate.
  • Repairing damage while disagreeing with your partner can require learning new habits and skills.
  • Whether in a marriage, between parents and children, or among friends, conflict is an inevitable part of any ongoing relationship and the question isn't if there will be conflict but how you will navigate the conflict when it occurs. Here are three skills you can practice to enhance your conflict-resolution and two to avoid.
  • People who remarry find themselves blending two sets of families from former marriages and it's common to find a wife or husband complaining that their new spouse seems to love their biological children more than their new spouse.

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News Articles

  • Pandemic Lockdown Increases Child Abuse Risk

    Hunkering down during the coronavirus pandemic has stressed families and raised the risk for child abuse, Penn State researchers report. More...

  • Keeping Harmony in the Family During Coronavirus Pandemic

    The coronavirus pandemic has families spending plenty of "quality time" together, but living under the same roof 24 hours a day can tax relationships, an expert in child development says. More...

  • AHA News: If You Hunker Down Against Coronavirus, Don't Stop Reaching Out, Experts Say

    "When there's a time of anxiety, that is not a time to pull back from connectedness," said Dr. Franklin Watkins, associate professor in geriatric medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "That's a time that we actually need to lean into social connectedness and lean into our family members and our friends and acquaintances." More...

  • 12 Weeks of Paid Maternity Leave Benefits Everyone: Study

    The argument against paid maternity leave in the United States often focuses on the cost, but a new study suggests that more paid leave would not only be beneficial for families, but also for society. More...

  • Who's Caring for Family Caregivers? 1 in 5 Says Health Is Poor

    Caring for a loved one at home can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming and take a toll on your own health, a new study suggests. More...

    • 9 More

    • Kids Raised by Grandparents More Likely to Pile on Pounds: Study

      Grandparents can be a bad influence on kids' weight, researchers say. More...

    • Family's Social Standing May Be Key to Happiness for Teens

      How teens see their family's social status may play a part in their mental health and success at school, a new study suggests. More...

    • Caring for Family Matters Most to People Around the Globe

      It may come as no surprise to some, but new research shows that taking care of family and keeping a mate are the most important things for folks worldwide. More...

    • Don't Get Along With Family? Check Your Health

      There's a new reason to keep the peace this holiday season: Strained relationships with family may be worse for your health than trouble with a spouse or significant other, new research suggests. More...

    • A Good Reason to Stop Squabbling at Home

      A Danish study that looked at nearly 10,000 men and women, aged 36 to 52, warns that stressful social relations can be more than just unpleasant -- they can increase your overall risk of early death. More...

    • Who's Most Likely to Scam a Senior? The Answer May Surprise You

      As people age and their mental capacities decline, they can often be targeted by scammers seeking easy cash. More...

    • AHA News: Time With Grandkids Could Boost Health – Even Lifespan

      Spending time with grandchildren can have positive health impacts. But there is a caveat. Quality is just as important as quantity. More...

    • Why You Should Make Family Meals Part of Your Busy Day

      Family meals are a recipe for healthy eating in kids, nutritionists say. More...

    • Frozen Donor Eggs May Lead to Fewer Births Than Fresh Ones

      But statistics might not tell full story, experts say. More...

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