Strong, stable relationships aren’t just built simply on luck, perfect compatibility, or destiny. Rather, a couple’s longevity is often a result of relational strengths partners build through intention. These strengths determine how partners respond to and meet each other’s needs, deal with relational stress, and stay close and connected through the highs and lows of life.

These strengths aren’t exclusive to inherently secure people or emotionally gifted ones; they are learnable practices that any couple can develop through the course of their relationship. Here are three of the most powerful of these strengths that a couple can cultivate in their relationship.

One of the most consistent findings in relationship science is that perceived partner responsiveness is a cornerstone of emotional safety and intimacy. If your partner perceives you to be someone who truly understands, validates, and cares for their inner world (and vice versa), then your relationship has this strength intact.

For example, a 2021 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that when individuals felt their partner was responsive, they were more likely to engage in affectionate........

© Psychology Today