Recently #psychology is admitted to be a strong predictor of one's overall #wellbeing and quality of life. Therefore, the absence of illnesses or pathologies isn't anymore the only considered factor regarding wellbeing.
Wellbeing can be defined as a state characterized by a high degree of satisfaction with life and the experience of high levels of positive affect or a process of fulfilling human potentials, capacities, and virtues.
The need to belong or the desire for interpersonal attachment is a fundamental human motivation, especially when it refers to romantic relationships. Therefore the interpersonal attachment is defined as a basic human need and essential for well-being. Good and strong personal relationships are ubiquitous in extremely happy people.
Romantic relationships, especially during #adolescence and emerging adulthood, are characterized by a particular intensity, specific expressions of affection, and initiation in erotic sexual encounters. The time they devote to their romantic partner's increases as adolescents approach emerging adulthood. During this transition, they use these relationships to look for a company, emotional security, intimacy, and the feeling of love they provide.
Consequently, romantic relationships contribute to the development of a positive self-concept, greater social integration, mental and physical health and, therefore, they impact people's well-being. The quality of the relationship, the history of the shared experiences, the sense of attachment, and the beliefs which arise from the whole experience have all been recognized as modulating the well-being of the partners.
Early romantic experiences can compromise the well-being of adolescents when dealing with non-normative development events. On the other hand, the stress and coping model postulates that romantic relationships are intrinsically challenging, requiring skills and resources that adolescents may not have.
Just like in adolescence, involvement in romantic relationships is a significant source of well-being in emerging adulthood. Young adults who have romantic relationships are happier, feel more satisfied with their lives, and have fewer problems with mental and physical illness. They also show greater positive effects and have better levels of self-esteem than single people.
Personal skills and having the competence to maintain healthy and satisfying relationships are important factors in a relationship. These behaviours can reduce symptoms of #depression and #anxiety, increase satisfaction with the relationship, development of a secure attachment, and foster better decision-making.
As a result, love is one of the strengths most closely linked to personal happiness and is associated with higher rates of self-esteem, safety, satisfaction with life, positive affect, and achievement of personal and relational goals.