How to Respect Other People's Boundaries

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe Importance of Respecting Others’ BoundariesHow to Respect Others’ Boundaries

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

The Importance of Respecting Others’ Boundaries

How to Respect Others’ Boundaries

Close

According to the American Psychological Association, boundaries are limits that people set to protect themselves in an activity, situation, or relationship.Boundaries can be physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, financial, or related to time, space, and energy.

Have you ever coaxed a friend todrinkeven if they didn’t really want to? Or interrupted your partner while they were on a work call? Or texted a co-worker after hours? If so, you may have made them uncomfortable and crossed a boundary, even if you didn’t necessarily mean to.

Setting a boundaryis essentially someone’s way of letting you know:

Depending on the type ofboundarythey have drawn and how it affects your relationship, you may find yourself experiencing emotions ranging from surprise, anger, pain, confusion, or acceptance.

If you’re wondering how to proceed in your relationship with them, this article discusses how you can respect others’ boundaries and why it’s important to do so.

While we often talk about setting boundaries in our relationships with others, we don’t talk as much about respecting others’ boundaries. However, in order for us to grow, it’s important for us to understand why the person has set this boundary and torespectit.

“People set boundaries for their safety. Respecting them helps build trust in the relationship and shows the other person you care about their emotional well-being,” saysMeghan Marcum, PsyD, chief psychologist at AMFM Healthcare.

The Impact of Disrespecting Others’ Boundaries

Disrespecting boundaries can cause significant harm to the relationship, according to Dr. Marcum.

Meghan Marcum, PsyDYou may not understand why someone has a boundary in place and it may differ from what is acceptable to you. Regardless, each person has a right to set their own limits. Ignoring a boundary is essentially a form of violating someone’s rights.

Meghan Marcum, PsyD

You may not understand why someone has a boundary in place and it may differ from what is acceptable to you. Regardless, each person has a right to set their own limits. Ignoring a boundary is essentially a form of violating someone’s rights.

When boundaries are consistently violated, it demonstrates a breakdown in safety andtrustwithin the relationship, says Dr. Marcum. “It can contribute to conflict, emotional distress, and avoidance of each other.”

Ask a Therapist: How Do I Set Boundaries With My Mother?

Dr. Marcum shares some strategies that can help you learn how to understand and respect others’ boundaries:

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

A Word From Verywell

Respecting others’ boundaries is an important part of maintaining a healthy relationship with them. It’s not always easy to do—it takesmaturity, integrity, and empathy to recognize that you’re making someone uncomfortable and change how you interact with them.

Ignoring or disrespecting their boundaries, on the other hand, can harm your relationship with them and lead to conflict, stress, or avoidance.

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Boundary.APA Dictionary of Psychology.University of Illinois Chicago.Boundaries: What are they and how to create them.Auer-Spath I, Glück J.Respect, attentiveness, and growth: wisdom and beliefs about good relationships.Int Psychogeriatr. 2019;31(12):1809-1821. doi:10.1017/S104161021900022XLeary MR.Emotional responses to interpersonal rejection.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(4):435-441. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.4/mleary

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Boundary.APA Dictionary of Psychology.University of Illinois Chicago.Boundaries: What are they and how to create them.Auer-Spath I, Glück J.Respect, attentiveness, and growth: wisdom and beliefs about good relationships.Int Psychogeriatr. 2019;31(12):1809-1821. doi:10.1017/S104161021900022XLeary MR.Emotional responses to interpersonal rejection.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(4):435-441. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.4/mleary

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Boundary.APA Dictionary of Psychology.University of Illinois Chicago.Boundaries: What are they and how to create them.Auer-Spath I, Glück J.Respect, attentiveness, and growth: wisdom and beliefs about good relationships.Int Psychogeriatr. 2019;31(12):1809-1821. doi:10.1017/S104161021900022XLeary MR.Emotional responses to interpersonal rejection.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(4):435-441. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.4/mleary

American Psychological Association.Boundary.APA Dictionary of Psychology.

University of Illinois Chicago.Boundaries: What are they and how to create them.

Auer-Spath I, Glück J.Respect, attentiveness, and growth: wisdom and beliefs about good relationships.Int Psychogeriatr. 2019;31(12):1809-1821. doi:10.1017/S104161021900022X

Leary MR.Emotional responses to interpersonal rejection.Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2015;17(4):435-441. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.4/mleary

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?