Romantic

The romantic relationship is arguably the most important in our lives. Romantic relationships significantly impact emotional well-being, trust, and overall life satisfaction. The Romance Measure in the Giji Index evaluates the quality and dynamics of romantic relationships, focusing on key elements such as physical intimacy, communication, and shared goals.

This measure uses scientifically supported indicators such as the frequency of physical affection, presence of unhealthy disagreements, and mutual future planning. By assessing respondents' romantic relationship health, the Romance Measure provides insights into relationship strengths and areas for growth, offering a path to improve emotional connection and relationship satisfaction.

If you are currently single, you select the 'Not Applicable' option. 

Quality Time

Many studies have shown the association between time spent together and relationship satisfaction. Although the direction of causality, if present, is not certain, nonetheless it remains a good proxy for relationship satisfaction. 

Quantitatively, research from Belgium has found that the average couple spends 9 hours per week engaged in recreational activities, including social life events (2h), indoor/outdoor leisure (1h), and television (5h). Given the "quality" of quality time can vary significantly, this indicator counts individual events rather than hours.

Partner Emotional Support

This indicator measures the frequency of genuine attempts at emotional connection over the past week. Check-ins are a concrete, observable behaviour that the Giji Index uses as a proxy for relationship quality - a notoriously difficult metric for research. There is no consensus in the literature on relationships as to the optimal metric for relationship quality, however a high rate of check-ins is likely to be associated with greater trust, greater communication, and lower resentment. 

However, it is important to acknowledge that measuring relationship quality requires interpreting behaviours within their broader context. For instance, while frequent emotional check-ins may suggest attentiveness, their impact on the relationship depends on factors such as the partner's receptivity, the depth of the discussions, and the quality of listening provided, etc. This difficulty underscores the importance of combining specific, measurable behaviours (like check-ins) with other indicators to construct a more comprehensive understanding of relationship dynamics.

While no single measure can fully capture relationship quality, behavioural indicators like this one provide actionable data that aligns with research linking consistent emotional support to tangible outcomes such as reduced stress, higher reported relationship satisfaction, and lower conflict frequency.

Negative Interactions

Research by the Gottman Institute has found that maintaining a ratio of positive to negative interactions within a couple of 5-6 is associated with stronger relationships. This indicator tracks negative interactions as a simpler proxy for this measurement. 

Unhealthy Disagreements

While conflict is a normal part of any relationship, frequent heated arguments and raised voices consistently correlate with lower relationship quality across studies. The key takeaway from the literature is that how partners argue—particularly the ability to prevent or de-escalate harsh, critical exchanges—strongly influences long-term relationship satisfaction and stability. Constructive conflict strategies, including calm startup, active listening, and effective repair attempts, help couples navigate disagreements without eroding trust and emotional intimacy.

Physical Intimacy

Physical intimacy plays a crucial role in relationship satisfaction in all relationships, whether characterised by higher frequency or lower frequency. Research indicates that couples who are satisfied with their physical intimacy report higher levels of overall relationship happiness. 

Shared Goals 

The ability to align on long-term plans and shared goals is an important indicator of relationship stability and commitment. Partners who actively plan together tend to have a stronger sense of partnership and mutual support. 

Open Conversations

Open and honest communication about sensitive topics strengthens trust and emotional closeness. Couples who feel comfortable addressing difficult subjects are more likely to navigate challenges together effectively.