What is the primary purpose of relational-inquiry?

The primary purpose of relational-inquiry is to reflect on personal experiences and gather insights from relationships. This approach emphasizes understanding the dynamics of interpersonal relationships and how they influence one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, as well as those of others. It involves a deep examination of the connections between people, contexts, and experiences, fostering a greater awareness of how relational patterns shape development and issues in child and youth care.

This method encourages practitioners to engage in self-reflection, considering their own roles and contributions to relationships. By doing so, they can gain valuable insights into how to improve interactions and support the individuals they work with more effectively. This reflective practice helps cultivate empathy, enhances communication, and builds stronger, more effective relationships with clients.

The other options present aspects that do not align with the core tenets of relational-inquiry. Providing formal feedback, for instance, is more about assessment and evaluation, which can detract from the nuanced understanding that relational inquiry seeks. Establishing dominant social interactions might suggest a power dynamic that is counterproductive to the collaborative spirit foundational to relational-inquiry. Likewise, diagnosing psychological issues aligns more with clinical practices than the reflective and relational focus that is central to this approach in child and youth care.