What term describes a mutually beneficial relationship where individuals live together?

The term that best describes a mutually beneficial relationship where individuals live together is interdependence. In an interdependent relationship, each participant relies on the other for support and resources, which fosters a sense of cooperation and enhances the survival and well-being of both parties involved. Interdependence highlights the interconnectedness of individuals’ actions and how they can positively impact one another’s lives, forming a stronger community or ecosystem.

While symbiosis refers to a close and long-term interaction between different biological species, typically used in ecological contexts, collaboration signifies working together towards a common goal without necessarily living together. Coexistence implies that individuals live side by side but does not inherently convey the mutual benefit or reliance seen in interdependence. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why interdependence is the most accurate descriptor for a mutually beneficial relationship where individuals live together.