Relationship and Communication

Introduction

 Socialrelationships are important factors in

regards to the general and mental health of
adolescents
 Relationships with friends and family environments
affect the well-being of adolescents.
  Poor social relationships can affect their physical
health, habits and adolescent development, and
increase alcohol consumption, substance abuse,
delinquent behaviors and mortality risk.
 Ref:WorldHealth Organization. Adolescents and
Mental Health; 2016
Module Objectives
 To define a healthy relationship,
 To know the benefits and characteristics of Healthy
relationship
 To help adolescents identify unhealthy relationships
 To know how adolescents can build and maintain healthy
relationships
 To support adolescents in coping with broken relationships
Brain storming questions

 What is a healthy Relationship?

 Why is it important to have a healthy relationship?
 What are the characteristics of Healthy relationship
Definition of a Relationship

A relationship is an interaction or connection

between two or more people based on mutual
trust.

 Types of relationship may include

parent/caregiver to daughter/son relationship,
peer to peer relationship and sibling relationships.
Pillars of a Healthy Relationship
5 pillars of A healthy Relationship

 Love
 Trust
 Communications
 Integrity
 Respect
Characteristics of a Healthy Relationship

 Trust , respect and forgive each other

 Listen to and Support each other
 Communicate openly ,without judgement
 create time and remember details about each
other
 Engage in healthy activities together
Benefits of a Healthy Relationship

 self-esteem development and sense of belonging

 Promotes academic success with positive teacher-
student relationship
 shapes good behavior and reduces stress
 Helps you in becoming the person you want to be
 Strengthens family ties and togetherness
Features of Unhealthy Relationship
How to identify unhealthy relationships
with others

 Youfeel threatened,intimidated and frightened

around them
 They are jealous and manipulative
 They divert your attention from achieving your
goals.
 They lower your self esteem
 Theymake you feel guilty or responsible for their
actions
How adolescents can build and
maintain good relationships
caregivers/parents/
peers guardians
 Respect each other  Being respectful to
 Understand each other’s them
personalities and situations
 Obeying instructions
 Listen attentively to each
other’s challenges  Being honest, open
 Learn to give constructive and truthful
feedback  Being friendly
 Do not harm others
 Seeking guidance
Case Study Scenario
 17 years old Jonathan who is a third born in a family of 5 and a student at kisii secondary had never
been in any meaningful relationship until he met his classmate Mdogo. He often feels alone since his
other siblings are girls and he doesn’t feel like he connects with any of them.
 He tends to keep to himself most of the time. He has one friend in school – Moses, whom he likes
though he is only able to engage with him while in school as he lives far from Jonathan’s home. The
5-month relationship he has been having with Mdogo was very special to him.
 She seemed to understand his quiet ways and they had a lot in common – they both enjoyed
watching movies in the village video den; they loved football though they had different teams that they
supported, with Jonathan being a devoted Manchester United supporter. She was also funny and
found even his dull jokes funny.
 What made her to abruptly break off their relationship was beyond his understanding. She just wrote
to him a letter a week ago saying she wanted out of the relationship as it was putting a strain on her
studies and she needed to be prepared for her upcoming end year exam. This news shattered
Jonathan’s world. Just when he was thinking that he was as normal as his other classmates who had
many friends and girlfriends, this happens!
 How would you empathize with Jonathan’s situation and support him to cope with this broken
relationship? What would you advise/counsel him?
Coping with broken relationships
 Give yourself time to deal with the pain
 Make adjustment to the new realities
 Overwhelming situation- talking to a counsellor or someone
you can trust e.g., parent, teacher, guardian, sibling or peer
mentor
 keep your mind occupied and focus on achieving your goals
Post assessment Questions

 What is a healthy Relationship?

 Why is it important to have a healthy relationship?
 What are the characteristics and pillars of Healthy relationship
 How can an adolescent determine they are in an unhealthy
relationship?
 What can a girl do to maintain or sustain a healthy
relationship with a boy?
 How can an adolescent girl build her communication skills
with others?