Relationship Maintenance Theory: Test What You Should Do to Keep Love Fresh

1. Theoretical Basis: Relationship Maintenance Theory

This Test is designed based on the authoritative psychological **Relationship Maintenance Theory**, proposed by social psychologists Dindia & Canary after decades of research, which confirms that the happiness of a long-term intimate relationship does not depend on the strength of passion, but on whether both partners continuously perform effective relationship maintenance behaviors.

The core of the theory states that a healthy, lasting love must have five maintenance dimensions: positivity, openness, assurances, social networks, and shared tasks. Missing any dimension will cause the relationship to gradually become dull and distant and eventually lose its freshness.

2. What Is Real Love Freshness?

Love freshness isn't about deliberately creating romantic surprises or relying on the stimulation of novelty, but a kind of **sustainable relationship management ability**. It is the core ability that keeps two people, throughout a long life together, always feeling a spark, understanding, dependence, and respect.

A love that stays truly fresh usually has these features:

• Being together is comfortable and natural, with no need to deliberately pretend
• Being willing to proactively share your inner world and maintain a deep emotional connection
• Respecting each other's social circles and independent space
• Shouldering life's responsibilities together and forming a stable partnership
• Even when things are plain, you can still feel loved and secure

3. The Five Core Dimensions of This Test

This Test has 15 questions, strictly corresponding to the five dimensions of Relationship Maintenance Theory, precisely pinpointing your weak spots in keeping love fresh:

• Positivity Maintenance: can you maintain a positive attitude in the relationship and avoid complaining and blaming
• Openness Maintenance: are you willing to communicate deeply and honestly express your inner thoughts
• Assurance Maintenance: do you take the initiative to express affection and give the other person a sense of security
• Social Network Maintenance: can you balance your world for two with external social relationships
• Shared Task Maintenance: are you willing to shoulder life and responsibilities together with your partner

4. Who Is It For?

Whether you're dating, engaged, or married, this Test can offer precise guidance, especially for:

• Those who feel the relationship is gradually becoming dull and losing its original spark
• Those who often argue and give the silent treatment and don't know how to repair the relationship
• Those who want to maintain a high-quality intimate relationship over the long term
• Those who want to understand the hidden problems they have in relationships
• Those about to enter a long-term relationship who want to be prepared

5. Scoring and Result Notes

Each question is scored 1-5; the higher the score, the stronger your freshness ability in that dimension. The system will calculate your scores across the five dimensions, determine your love freshness type comprehensively, and provide an exclusive, practical plan for warming up the relationship.