Which principle emphasizes not causing harm in a supportive relationship?

Non-maleficence is the principle that emphasizes the importance of not causing harm to others, particularly in the context of supportive relationships and care. This principle is foundational in various helping professions, including mental health and recovery support. It underlines the commitment to avoid actions that could lead to physical, emotional, or psychological harm to the individuals being supported.

In recovery support, adhering to non-maleficence means actively working to ensure that interventions and interactions are safe and that the support provided contributes positively to the individual's well-being. This commitment to avoiding harm is crucial in building trust and fostering constructive relationships, which are essential for effective recovery support.

Other principles, such as beneficence, which advocates for actively promoting the well-being of others, and justice, which focuses on fairness and equality in treatment, play important roles as well, but non-maleficence specifically addresses the imperative of preventing harm, making it the most relevant in this context. Autonomy, on the other hand, refers to an individual's right to make their own choices and decisions, which, while important, does not directly address the avoidance of harm like non-maleficence does.