Intimate Relationships Across the Lifespan

This comprehensive research-based book is a next-generation study of intimate relationships that explores implications for health and well-being across cultures, genders, and traditional as well as non-traditional relationships. This book fills the need for a contemporary analysis of intimate relationships and their implications for people's health, well-being, and quality of life. It covers topics not ordinarily included in textbooks on this topic, in non-traditional areas such as LGBT relationships. The text also addresses intervention strategies for relationship problems and offers tools and techniques for assessing intimate relationships. Chapters are organized to present information about the origin, formation, development, enrichment, and maintenance of intimate relationships in a way that allows readers to build upon what they have learned. The text provides integrated and evidence-based information on almost all aspects of intimate relationships and will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty in family studies, psychology, and other social sciences. Moreover, counselors, clinicians, and therapists working on conflict, violence, abuse, maladjustment, depression, deterioration, dissolution, reconstruction, and enrichment of marital and non-marital intimate relationships will find this text valuable for their practice.

Abdul Khaleque, PhD, is adjunct professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut and Senior Scientist in the Ronald and Nancy Rohner Center for the Study of Interpersonal Acceptance and Rejection at the University of Connecticut.

Foreword by Ronald P. Rohner Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Introduction Origin and Meaning of Intimacy Elements of Intimacy Intimate Relationships Dynamics and Dimensions of Intimate Relationships Dimensions of Intimate Relationships Fear of Intimacy Correlates of Intimate Relationships Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 2 Research Methods Major Concepts Characteristics of Research Research Objectives Research Information Research Topic and Proposal Hypothesis Research Designs Sampling Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 3 Intimate Relationships across the Lifespan Major Lifespan Premises Attachment Relationships during Adolescence Romantic Relationships of Adolescents Sexual Behavior of Adolescents Teen Pregnancy and Abortion Adult Intimate Relationships Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 4 Historical and Theoretical Perspectives of Intimate Relationships Historical Perspective Theoretical Perspective Psychosocial Theory Humanistic Theory Bioecological Systems Theory Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 5 Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory and Attachment Theory Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory Origin of Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory Basic Tenets of Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory Paradigm Shift in Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory Cross-Cultural Implications of Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory Criticisms of the Theory Attachment Theory Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 6 Theory-Based Research on Intimate Relationships Review of IPARTheory Literature Attachment Research Literature Review of Adult Attachment Research Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 7 Communication in Intimate Relationships Different Categories of Communication Effective Communication Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 8 Attraction and Intimate Relationships Foundation of Attraction Attraction and Personality Attraction among Gays and Lesbians Attraction and Gender Stereotypes Attraction and Gender-Atypical Traits Predictors of Attraction Theories of Attraction Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 9 Friendship Basis of Friendships Components of Friendship Characteristics of a Good Friend Difference between Friendship and Love Rules of Friendship Quality of Friendship Friendship Expectations Dimensions of Friendship Expectations Differences in Friendship Cross-Sex Friendship Managing Sexual Attraction in Friendship Obstacles to Friendship Friendship across the Lifespan Developmental Outcomes of Friendship Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 10 Love Components of Love Patterns of Love Individual Differences in Love Different Perspectives on Love How Long Does Love Last? Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 11 Sexuality Sexual Attitudes and Behavior Sexual Attitudes and Behavior of Older Adults Sexual Double Standard Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Cultural Aspects of Sexuality Sexual Desire and Gender Sex in Marital and Nonmarital Relationships Safe and Healthy Sex Sexual Ethics, Morality, and Religion Sexual Satisfaction Sexual Coercion and Aggression in Intimate Relationships Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 12 Intimate Relationships in Married Life Types of Marriage Marital Partner Selection Performing Marriage Effects of Social Changes on Marriage Intimacy in Marriage Marriage and Happiness Marital Quality, Satisfaction, and Happiness Happy and Stable Marriage Theories of Marital Satisfaction and Happiness Money and Marital Happiness Predictors of Happiness Steps to Happiness Divorce Remarriage Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 13 Intimate Relationships in Alternative Lifestyles Cohabitation Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Relationships Lesbian Relationships Gay Relationships Relationships between Bisexual Men and Women Transgender Relationships Genderqueer Relationships Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 14 Conflict, Abuse, and Violence in Intimate Relationships Conflict in Intimate Relationships Partner Abuse Violence in Intimate Relationships Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 15 Deterioration and Loss of Intimate Relationships Deterioration of Intimate Relationships Loss of Intimate Relationships Stages of Dissolution Postbreakup Relationships Coping with Relationship Breakups Chapter Summary Reflective Questions Chapter 16 Reconstruction and Enhancement of Intimate Relationships Techniques for Repairing Intimate Relationships Enrichment of Intimate Relationships Maintenance of Intimate Relationships Chapter Summary Reflective Questions References Index