A toxic relationship is characterised by harmful behaviours that negatively impact one or both individuals’ mental and physical well-being.
Toxic relationships can negatively affect young people by damaging their self-esteem, increasing anxiety, and causing emotional stress. These relationships may involve control, jealousy, or manipulation. In contrast, healthy relationships provide support, respect, and open communication, helping young people build confidence and emotional stability. Understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships is important, as it empowers young people to make better choices and seek positive, supportive connections in their lives.
A participant highlighted the impact of toxic relationships, using cell culture, soil and environment thus;
“In scientific terms, culture refers to the environment in which cells grow. If that culture is toxic, the cells become unhealthy. If it’s healthy, the cells thrive. The same principle applies to us as human beings.
Culture, in human terms, is the social environment we create, through our relationships, values, behaviours, and even the physical conditions we live in: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we consume, the spaces we inhabit.
Just as a cell cannot thrive in a toxic environment, neither can a person. When we live in a toxic culture, when our food, water, and air are poisoned, it seeps into us, intoxicating our thoughts, distorting our behaviours, and damaging our well-being. But in a healthy culture, we have the chance to grow, heal, and thrive.
That’s why we cannot talk about mental health, toxic relationships, or societal breakdowns without addressing the culture, our environment, both internal and external. Culture is the soil in which we’re planted. Change the soil, and you change what grows.
If we want healthier people, we must cultivate healthier environments. Culture shapes us, and we shape it”.
Some of the key characteristics of toxic relationships are: harmful behaviours which are emotionally damaging, manipulation and control and lack of respect for one party or to each other.
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