The Science of Lasting Love: Maintaining and Enhancing Close Romantic Relationships
Scholars identify four primary definitions of relationship maintenance: keeping a relationship in existence, preserving the current state (status quo), ensuring a satisfactory condition, and repairing it when needed. Key evidence-based strategies include: Close Romantic Relationships: Maintenance and E...
: Regularly communicating love, commitment, and faithfulness to strengthen a partner's sense of security. The Science of Lasting Love: Maintaining and Enhancing
: Expressing cheerfulness and fun during daily interactions. This involves "prioritizing positivity" by scheduling activities that naturally elicit joy and gratitude. preserving the current state (status quo)
: Maintaining equality in household responsibilities and shared daily burdens.
: Utilizing mutual friendships and external affiliations to provide a support system for the couple. Enhancement: Growing the "Us"
Maintaining a long-term romantic relationship requires a shift from the initial "passionate love" of a new romance to a more stable, built on interdependence and commitment. Research indicates that relationships are not merely "found" but are actively built and sustained through deliberate cognitive and behavioral strategies. Core Strategies for Relationship Maintenance
