Learning Package 7 - Social Relationships

Photo credit: Retrieved from pixabay.com/photos/coronavirus-corona-quarantine-4939242/

Human beings are inherently social creatures. Our emotional and physical wellbeing are affected by the strength of our varied relationships at home, work, school and play. Social connections affect our sense of self-esteem and mental wellbeing. Research has shown that strong, healthy relationships strengthen our immune systems, help us recover from diseases, and may even lengthen our lives.¹

In order to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19, people have had to practice social distancing, modify how they communicate, interact remotely and adjust their ways of life.² A simple restaurant meal with friends or attending concerts and sporting events are now off the cards as the world adapts to a new normal. In Singapore, family members living in separate households and friends have not been able to physically meet since the implementation of the Circuit Breaker period on 7 April 2020. Even as Circuit Breaker measures progressively ease from 2 June, non-essential activities and social gatherings remain prohibited.³ While people are getting used to connecting with loved ones via social media, phone calls and video conferencing, there has also been a downside to social isolation measures. Being in close proximity for a prolonged period at home has not only given rise to tensions and strained relationships but an increase in domestic abuse cases.⁴

To learn more about social relationships, check out the resources listed below.

Look out for our next instalment, which will explore Community Spirit.

Websites

1. Commentary: We cannot allow COVID-19 to disrupt our relationships too

Tan, A. (2020, April 6). Commentary: We cannot allow COVID-19 to disrupt our relationships too. Channel News Asia. Retrieved 2020, May 11.

2. How to keep your relationship strong during COVID-19

How to keep your relationship strong during COVID-19. (2020, May 12). Asia One. Retrieved 2020, May 12.

3. Why relational connection is so important during the coronavirus pandemic

Stallard, M. L. & Stallard, K. P. (2020, March 19). Why relational connection is so important during the coronavirus pandemic. Smart Brief. Retrieved 2020, May 11.

4. Avoiding a relationship pandemic

Hall, R. (2020, March 18). Avoiding a relationship pandemic. (2020, March 18). Institute for Family Studies. Retrieved 2020, May 11.

5. Coronavirus: How to ensure your relationships survive self-isolation

Gallagher, S. (2020, April 15). Coronavirus: How to ensure your relationships survive self-isolation. Independent. Retrieved 2020, May 11.

6. Steps for healthy relationships during crisis and quarantine

Nicholson, J. (2020, March 30). Steps for healthy relationships during crisis and quarantine. Psychology Today. Retrieved 2020, May 11.

7. COVID-19: MSF keeping ‘close watch’ on domestic abuse cases as more reach out for help over circuit breaker period

COVID-19: MSF keeping ‘close watch’ on domestic abuse cases as more reach out for help over circuit breaker period. (2020, April 23). Channel News Asia. Retrieved 2020, May 26.

Videos

1. How to keep relationships strong during COVID-19

Source: How to keep relationships strong during COVID-19. Bea, S. (2020, April 20). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2020, May 16.

2. Coronavirus: Mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic

Source: Coronavirus: Mental health and wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2020, March 20). UC Davis Health. Retrieved 2020, May 22.

3. How to survive quarantine with your relationship intact

Source: How to survive quarantine with your relationship intact. (2020, May 6). The New Yorker. Retrieved 2020, May 12.

4. Families living apart

Source: Families living apart. (2020, May 7). CNA Insider. Retrieved 2020, May 12.

eBooks

1. Future presence: How virtual reality is changing human connection, intimacy, and the limits of ordinary life

Rubin, P. (2018). Future presence: How virtual reality is changing human connection, intimacy, and the limits of ordinary life. HarperCollins. Retrieved from OverDrive. (myLibrary ID is required to access this eBook.)

2. Wired to connect: The surprising link between brain science and strong, healthy relationships

Banks, S., & Hirshman, L. A. (2016). Wired to connect: The surprising link between brain science and strong, healthy relationships. TarcherPerigee. Retrieved from OverDrive. (myLibrary ID is required to access this eBook.)

3. 52 small changes for the family: Sharpen minds, build confidence, boost health, deepen connections

Blumenthal, B., & Tan, D. (2019). 52 small changes for the family: Sharpen minds, build confidence, boost health, deepen connections. Chronicle Books. Retrieved from OverDrive. (myLibrary ID is required to access this eBook.)

4. 8 keys to building your best relationships

Hughes, D. A., & Rothschild, B. (2013). 8 keys to building your best relationships. New York: W.W. Norton. Retrieved from OverDrive. (myLibrary ID is required to access this eBook.)

If you are interested to read up further on social relationships, check out the following journal articles and further resources in Chinese and Malay.

Journal Articles

1. Marriage with family at its center; In trying times, spouses realize that the core of their relationship is caring for children, relatives and one another

Wilcox, W. B. (2020, March 28). Marriage with family at its center; In trying times, spouses realize that the core of their relationship is caring for children, relatives and one another. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2020, May 12 from ProQuest Central database via NLB’s eResources website (myLibrary ID is required to access this article.)

2. Your (socially) distant date – Crisis makes romance tricky, but not impossible

Wells, G. (2020, March 23). Your (socially) distant date – Crisis makes romance tricky, but not impossible. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2020, May 12 from ProQuest Central database via NLB’s eResources website (myLibrary ID is required to access this article.)

3. World: Life after lockdown: Will our social habits be changed forever?

World: Life after lockdown: Will our social habits be changed forever? (2020, May 13). Asia News Monitor. Retrieved 2020, May 12 from ProQuest Central database via NLB’s eResources website (myLibrary ID is required to access this article.)

4. The resilience of the human spirit worldwide, communities come together as pandemic keeps them apart

Fuoco, M. A. (2020, March 29). The resilience of the human spirit worldwide, communities come together as pandemic keeps them apart. Pittsburgh Post – Gazette. Retrieved 2020, May 12 from ProQuest Central database via NLB’s eResources website (myLibrary ID is required to access this article.)

Chinese and Malay resources

1. 新冠疫情之下，世界各地开启“阳台社交”

（2020年 4月 30日）。新冠疫情之下，世界各地开启“阳台社交”。在线报导。 Retrieved 2020, May 4.

This article is about residents of an apartment block in Switzerland who took turns to host daily social events from their balconies.

2. 满足社交需求 虚拟演唱会吸千万人

陈是祈。（2020年4月27日）。满足社交需求 虚拟演唱会吸千万人。台湾醒报。 Retrieved 2020, May 4.

Popular online game Fortnite organised a virtual concert that attracted more than 1.2 million viewers. Viewers were also able to interact, signaling how large-scale events could be conducted post-pandemic as well as the need for social interaction.

3. 电玩游戏：它不只是帮你度过居家隔离期的娱乐

克里斯·巴兰纽克（Chris Baraniuk）。（2020年4月15日）。电玩游戏：它不只是帮你度过居家隔离期的娱乐。BBC中文网。 Retrieved 2020, May 4.

With the closure of restaurants, bars, leisure venues and other facilities worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online games have helped people maintain social connections, providing a virtual space where people can gather, play and chat.

4. Covid-19: Mendaki hulur $1.9j bantu masyarakat Melayu/Islam yang terjejas

Covid-19: Mendaki hulur $1.9j bantu masyarakat Melayu/Islam yang terjejas. (2020, April 9). Berita Harian. Retrieved 2020, April 30.

As a follow up to #SGTeguhBersatu (#SGUnited), Mendaki announced that it was setting aside $1.9 million to help those in the Malay/Muslim community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disclaimer/ Rights statement
The information in this resource guide is valid as of May 2020 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history on the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2020.

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References