Intimate relationship
[2] The quality and nature of the relationship depends on the interactions between individuals, and is derived from the unique context and history that builds between people over time.
However, intimate relationships are not necessarily monogamous or sexual, and there is wide social and cultural variability in the norms and practices of intimacy between people.
The course of an intimate relationship includes a formation period prompted by interpersonal attraction and a growing sense of closeness and familiarity.
[7] Emotional intimacy is built through self-disclosure and responsive communication between people,[8] and is critical for healthy psychological development and mental health.
[10] Physical intimacy—including holding hands, hugging, kissing, and sex—promotes connection between people and is often a key component of romantic intimate relationships.
[20] From an evolutionary perspective, this may be because people search for a partner (or potential mate) who displays indicators of good physical health.
[24] Rather, repeated positive interactions between people and reciprocity of romantic interest seem to be key components in attraction and relationship formation.
[26] Feelings of intimacy increase when a conversation partner is perceived as responsive and reciprocates self-disclosure, and people tend to like others who disclose emotional information to them.
[27] Other strategies used in the relationship formation stage include humor, initiating physical touch, and signaling availability and interest through eye contact, flirtatious body language, or playful interactions.
[30] Context, timing, and external circumstances influence attraction and whether an individual is receptive to beginning an intimate relationship.
[38] Engaging in ongoing positive shared communication and activities is important for strengthening the relationship and increasing commitment and liking between partners.
[42] Significant life events such as the birth of a child can drastically change the relationship and necessitate adaptation and new approaches to maintaining intimacy.
The transition to parenthood can be a stressful period that is generally associated with a temporary decrease in healthy relationship functioning and a decline in sexual intimacy.
Individuals high in neuroticism (the tendency to experience negative emotions) are more prone to relationship dissolution,[52] and research also shows small effects of attachment avoidance and anxiety in predicting breakup.
[52] The dissolution of an intimate relationship is a stressful event that can have a negative impact on well-being, and the rejection can elicit strong feelings of embarrassment, sadness, and anger.
When a person responds actively and constructively to their partner sharing good news (a process called "capitalization"), well-being for both individuals increases.
[76][77] Furthermore, intimate partners are an important source of social support for encouraging healthy behaviors such as increasing physical activity[78] and quitting smoking.
[82][83] In another laboratory study, women who received a text message from their partner showed reduced cardiovascular response to the Trier Social Stress Test, a stress-inducing paradigm.
[86] Common sources of conflict between intimate partners include disagreements about the balance of work and family life, frequency of sex, finances, and household tasks.
[90] These responses may be salient when an individual feels threatened by the conflict, which can be a reflection of insecure attachment orientation and previous negative relationship experiences.
[91] Constructive conflict resolution strategies include validating the other person's point of view and concerns, expressing affection, using humor, and active listening.
[86] Repeated stressful instances of unresolved conflict might cause intimate partners to seek couples counseling, consult self-help resources, or consider ending the relationship.
[93] Research shows that insecure attachment orientations that are high in avoidance or anxiety are associated with experiencing more frequent negative emotions in intimate relationships.
[96] In contrast, avoidantly attached individuals may experience fear of intimacy or be dismissive of the potential benefits of a close relationship and thus have difficulty building an intimate connection with a partner.
Rather than spending energy investing in the relationship through shared activities, sex and physical intimacy, and healthy communication, couples under stress are forced to use their psychological resources to manage other pressing issues.
[99] Low socioeconomic status is a particularly salient stressful context that constrains an individual's ability to invest in maintaining a healthy intimate relationship.
The World Health Organization estimates that 30% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by an intimate partner.
[108] Patriarchal cultural scripts that depict men as aggressive and dominant may be an additional risk factor for men engaging in violence toward an intimate partner,[109] although violence by female perpetrators is also a well-documented phenomenon[110] and research finds other contextual and demographic characteristics to be more salient risks factors.
[112] Cultural context has influence in many domains within intimate relationships including norms in communication, expression of affection, commitment and marriage practices, and gender roles.
[114] Culture can also impact expectations within a relationship and the relative importance of various relationship-centered values such as emotional closeness, equity, status, and autonomy.
