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.
The fact sheets and stories on the following pages cover some
common relationship issues.