What is the act of maintaining a preventive relationship?
According to Dr. Rahul Chandhok, senior consultant in Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram (India), preventive relationship maintenance occurs when a person is still in a current relationship but at the same time keeps an open opportunity for others without ending the old relationship. It often comes from emotional needs, not just physical infidelity. This person builds a connection with others while maintaining the current relationship to ensure there is an alternative option if needed.
Causes of maintaining a preventive relationship
Dr. Rahul Chandhok points out some common causes:
Fear of loneliness: Some people don't like to be alone and find ways to ensure they always have someone by their side.
Low self-esteem: They are eager to be accepted and want to feel needed, even when having to maintain two relationships at the same time.
Unresolved problems in their current relationship: Instead of directly facing problems, they seek an alternative.
thich the nervous feeling when looking for a new person: Some people are attracted to novelty rather than building a lasting relationship.
Recognizable signs
The behavior of maintaining a backup relationship is often difficult to recognize, but the following signs can be observed:
Sudden affectionate distance: The partner becomes less interested but does not want to end the relationship.
Secret communication: Keep your phone private, text others a lot or hide social interactions.
Uncertainty about the future: Avoid long-term planning or discussing the relationship in detail.
Inconsistent behavior: Occasionally showing concern, sometimes cold.
The harm of maintaining a backup relationship
This behavior can cause many negative effects:
Breaking trust: A relationship is based on transparency, maintaining a replacement reduces trust.
Delay in resolving relationships: People who commit this behavior miss the opportunity to learn from the breakup experience.
Hurt both sides: Both current and new employees may be affected emotionally.
Prevent healthy emotional development: Difficulty building a mature and stable relationship.
How to handle
If you suspect that your partner is maintaining a backup relationship, you can apply the following steps:
Honest communication: express concerns without blaming, asking partners to be transparent.
Set a clear line: Identify unacceptable behavior and discuss frankly.
Observe behavior: If the partner continues to hide or not share their feelings, it is a sign that the relationship needs to be reconsidered.
Protect your self-respect: If you feel like you are just an alternative, consider ending the relationship to protect yourself.
