Fear of intimacy is generally a social phobia and anxiety disorder resulting in difficulty forming close relationships with another person.
[2] It can result from any number of dysfunctional bonding experiences ranging from early childhood parental attachments to relationship failures in adulthood.
[7] This study also found that the level of the woman's fear of intimacy is a good indicator of the longevity of a couple's relationship.
[9] Mark H. Thelen, Michelle D. Sherman and Tiffany S. Borst conducted a study in 1998 "to determine if rape survivors have difficulties with attachment and fear of intimacy".
When trait anxiety was ruled out, it was found that there was "no significant differences on fear of intimacy, confidence in others' dependability, and comfort with closeness".
[11] Current studies show that people who have an insufficient amount of intimacy or are lonely are more vulnerable to exhibit sexually offending behaviors.
[12] One recent study determined that child molesters exhibited significantly higher levels of fear of intimacy than rapists, nonsexually abusing inmates, and a control group of law-abiding citizens.
Examples of partner-social interactions are talking to a romantic interest, asking/going on a dinner date, hugging, holding hands, and kissing.