Family, friends and partners can be a source of great joy and
also stress. Family is also an important source of learning
about values, lifestyle and coping strategies. Conflicts
between parents, siblings or relatives resulting in an unstable
home atmosphere can influence young people in many ways.
These include their physical health, sense of belonging, trust,
interpersonal and problem solving skills. Similarly, conflict
with friends can lead to difficulties at school, university or
work. This may manifest as mental health issues, eating
disorders, self-harm or substance abuse. While the solution
often lies within the people involved, there are a number of ways
that health professionals can mitigate the effects that
relationship issues have on young people. Identifying the
current living arrangements, family dynamics, person's main fear in
the relationship can be a starting point, and providing information
can also encourage self-help. The following fact sheets and
stories cover some common relationship issues.