3 Toxic Relationship Habits to Avoid

Conflict is “inevitable and normal in intimate relationships,” said Andrew Christensen, a distinguished research professor at the U.C.L.A. department of psychology. But the way that couples manage it is a key to a healthy bond, he added.

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James A. Coan, a professor of psychology and a neuroscientist at the University of Virginia, recommends taking what negotiators call a “mutual gains approach,” where you focus on finding common interests and brainstorm solutions that benefit you both. “Instead of dividing the pie, you build a larger pie,” he said.

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