Thriving through relationships

• We present a model explaining how close relationships promote thriving.
• We define five components of thriving and two distinct contexts for thriving.
• We identify two distinct social support functions in close relationships.
• Source of strength support promotes thriving in the face of adversity, and relational catalyst support promotes thriving though exploration & growth.
• We identify mechanisms & mediators through which support leads to thriving.

The specific pathways through which close relationships promote optimal well-being are not well understood. We describe a model (building on attachment theory's notion of safe haven and secure base support) that explains how close relationships promote thriving. This model defines thriving, identifies distinct contexts through which individuals may thrive (life adversity and life opportunities for growth), describes two distinct social support functions in close relationships that promote thriving (source of strength support and relational catalyst support), and identifies mediators through which relational support leads to long-term thriving.