We all have relationships – with our partners, children, parents, friends, colleagues and many others. And, according to the authors of Positive Relationships: Evidence Based Practice across the World – several of whom are associated with Wellbeing Australia, the quality of these relationships is critically important for our overall wellbeing. This may seem obvious but many people struggle in their relationships – perhaps at work or in families – or behave in ways that do not take account of other people – or make quick judgments based on stereotypes. We know that some children arrive in school with no idea how to relate well to others and then quickly get into trouble.
Adjunct A/ Professor Sue Roffey, from the University of Western Sydney and Director of Wellbeing Australia, is the editor of Positive Relationships which brings together the views of a range of international experts on the impact of relationships on various aspects of our lives, together with how we can promote the positive in diverse roles – including as a leader, professional, mentor, teacher or parent trying to do their best for their child.
“Our relationships all have a significant impact on our daily lives, including the way we perceive ourselves and others – and this makes a difference to how we feel, how we function and how resilient we can be”, says Dr Roffey. “The quality of relationships, alongside social and emotional wellbeing, needs to be centre stage. Our children need good role models”
“A positive relationship can enrich our lives while a negative one can be the cause of deep distress. Unfortunately, much of the time we only give attention to relationships when things go wrong. That is why it is so important to understand in some depth how relationships might be enhanced in all areas of our lives.”
Dr Roffey, from the UWS School of Education and Centre for Positive Psychology and Education (CPPE), says Positive Relationships is firmly grounded in the science of positive psychology and has been written to appeal to a wide audience.
“Positive psychology has much to offer to enhance everyday living”, says Dr Roffey. “Healthy relationships can offer real meaning and sustainable fulfilment in our lives. Knowing what promotes the positive is the first step to authentic wellbeing.”
Professor Felicia Huppert, Director of the Well-Being Institute at the University of Cambridge says in the Foreword of Positive Relationships that ‘this seminal book moves beyond a focus on the individual, putting relationships at the heart of life going well.”
The chapters are authored by academics and practitioners from a range of disciplines and from across the world, each addressing positive relationships in the contexts of family, work, school and community. Several of these authors are associated with Wellbeing Australia.
The authors, and their respective chapters, include:
Professor Ann Brewer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Sydney – Positive Mentoring Relationships: Nurturing potential.
A/Professor Stephanie Jones and Dr Gretchen Brion-Meisels, Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA – Learning about Relationships.
Professor Margaret Vickers and Associate Professor Florence McCarthy at the School of Education, University of Western Sydney – Positive Community Relations.
Adjunct Professor Toni Noble, at Australian Catholic University (ACU), and Adjunct Professor Helen McGrath, at RMIT University – Wellbeing and Resilience in Young People and the Role of Positive Relationships.
Adjunct A/Professor Sue Roffey at the University of Western Sydney – Introduction and Developing Positive Relationships in Schools.
A/Professor Vagdevi Meunier, St Edwards University, Austin, Texas, USA and Wayne Baker, professional counsellor – Positive Couple Relationships: The evidence for long lasting relationship satisfaction and happiness.
Dr Karen Majors, educational psychologist and professional tutor at the Institute of Education, London University – Friendships: the Power of Positive Alliance.
Kimberly O’Brien, child psychologist and Director of the Quirky Kid Clinic, and Jane Mosco, educational psychologist – Positive Parent-child Relationships.
Emilia Dowling, previously Head of Child Psychology at the Tavistock Clinic and visiting Professor at Birkbeck College, London, and Di Elliot, systemic psychotherapist – Promoting Positive Outcomes for Children Experiencing Change in Family Relationships.
Sue Langley, CEO of Emotional intelligence Worldwide – Positive Relationships at Work.
Elizabeth Gillies, educational psychologist and previously Vice-President of International Mental Health Professionals in Japan – Positive Professional Relationships.
Dr Hilary Armstrong – Director of Education at the Institute of Executive Coaching, Sydney Spirited Leadership: Growing leaders for the future.
Zalman Kastel, Director of the Together for Humanity Foundation – Positive Relations between Members of Groups with Divergent Beliefs and Cultures.
A/Professor Lois Edmund, Centre for Conflict Resolution Studies at the University of Winnipeg, Canada – Conflict and Confrontation.
Peta Blood, Co-founder of Restorative Practices International – The repair and restoration of relationships.
Robyn Hromek, Educational psychologist and Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney and Angela Walsh, Director of the Love Bites educational program for NAPCAN (National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) on Building Peaceful Communities
‘Each chapter of this book”, says Dr Roffey, ‘provides evidence on how healthy relationships enable both individuals and communities to flourish, what we can do to ensure these are the best they can be and what to do when difficulties arise. This sometimes challenges current beliefs, such as what constitutes good leadership and how emotionally intelligent relationships make all the difference to effective work environments. The book predominately focuses on our shared humanity – what we all have in common, rather than what divides us’
Positive Relationships: Evidence Based Practice across the World, published by Springer, is now available at $55 from Glee Books: See the five star reviews on: http://www.amazon.com/Positive-Relationships-Evidence-Practice-across/dp/9400756585