Final answer:
The notion that emotionally healthy people have decreased depth and satisfaction in personal relationships is false. Emotional health contributes to deeper and more fulfilling relationships, and a positive self-concept formed in adolescence fosters the ability to develop intimate adult relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that emotionally healthy persons have a decreased depth and satisfaction in personal relationships is false. Emotionally healthy individuals are expected to show compassion for others, and this capacity for compassion typically contributes to deeper and more satisfying personal relationships. Close relationships with friends or family, as noted in Figure 14.23, provide happiness, fulfillment, and contribute to good health. Emotional health allows people to reflect on the source of their emotions through metacognition, managing them effectively, which can improve relational dynamics. Moreover, the social nature of humans drives them towards forming relationships based on reciprocity and self-disclosures, which are essential qualities of healthy relationships.
During early adulthood, the focus on intimacy versus isolation is critical, as Erikson's psychosocial theory suggests. A positive self-concept is necessary for the development of intimate relationships. Thus, those who have formed a strong sense of self in adolescence are more likely to establish successful intimate relationships in adulthood, further dispelling the idea that emotional health diminishes relationship quality.