A healthy romantic relationship contributes significantly to individual well-being, fostering emotional stability, happiness, and personal development. Understanding the essential components required to build and sustain such relationships is critical, particularly among young adults navigating complex interpersonal dynamics. This study aims to identify these essential components through a qualitative survey featuring open-ended questions. The study collected descriptive data from 207 participants aged 18-40 years adults, which were subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis to uncover recurring patterns and themes in participant responses
The findings highlight that young adults perceive crucial aspects for cultivating healthy romantic relationships: effective communication skills, mental well-being, mutual support, and shared norms and values. First, participants emphasized the importance of communication skills, which encompassed components like establishing communication, communicating effectively, and open communication. Second, mental well-being was identified as a mature thinking, engaging in positive activities, and working toward shared goals were essential. Third, the study underscores the significance of mutual support. Participants described mutual support as involving actions such as helping one another, showing mutual respect, and actively listening. Finally, participants highlighted the importance of norms and values, whether religious or cultural, in maintaining a healthy relationship.
These insights carry important implications for relationship counsellors and pre-marital service providers, as they offer a deeper understanding of young adults' perspectives on healthy romantic relationships. Given the exploratory nature of this preliminary study, further research with a broader sample and diverse methodological approaches is recommended to refine and expand upon these findings. Future studies could explore additional relational dimensions, such as cultural influences and evolving social norms, to enrich the discourse on relationship dynamics.