Close and caring relationships are undeniably linked to health and well-being at all stages
in the life span. Yet the specific pathways through which close relationships promote optimal�…

Highlights•We present a model explaining how close relationships promote thriving.•We
define five components of thriving and two distinct contexts for thriving.•We identify two�…

Although a great deal of empirical work supports the view that deep and meaningful close
relationships play a vital role in human flourishing—by having either a positive or a�…

In this chapter, the authors present a model of relationship enhancement in which they
explain how social support enhances health and well-being within the context of intimate�…

Quality ties to others are universally endorsed as central to optimal living. Social sci entists
have extensively studied the relational world, but in somewhat separate litera tures (eg�…

The close connection between personal well-being and the availability of rich, intimate
personal relationships has become increasingly evident to psychological theorists. Clearly�…

People who are socially integrated and have strong social ties live happier, longer lives. The
link between social connection and well-being is commonly explained in terms of the�…

In this chapter, I argue that perceived partner responsiveness represents one possible
unifying principle for linking and making theoretical sense of the numerous constructs that�…

Over the past 30 years investigators have called repeatedly for research on the mechanisms
through which social relationships and social support improve physical and psychological�…

A paradox exists in research that seeks to understand how our relationships with friends,
family members, and others influence our health and wellbeing. On the one hand, it is�…