Examined differential impact of premarital relationship dimensions on sexual expression among 54 monogamously dating adolescent couples. Couples retrospectively responded to measures of love, conflict, maintenance behaviors, ambivalence, relationship satisfaction, and sexual intimacy for four stages of dating. Found conflict played major role in…

Examined extent to which developmental theories of Erikson, Chickering, and Gilligan explain sex differences in autonomy and intimacy development in college students. Results from 441 college students suggest that both Gilligan's and Chickering's theories contribute to understanding of autonomy and intimacy development. Intimacy was strongest…

Investigated gender differences in extent to which individuals are altruistically other-oriented in their intimate heterosexual relationships. Data from married and single college students suggest that men are more altruistically other-oriented toward their partners than are women. Altruistic other-orientation appeared to be encouraged by…

Presents model of marital interactions based on nature of fit between each spouse's belief systems, particularly those related to fears inherent in intimacy. Proposes that such interactions can be belief-confirming, lead to alienation, conflict, or unhappiness; or belief-disconfirming, leading to intimacy, successful conflict resolution, and…

The trend toward bigger schools has been accompanied by a huge increase in overall youth misconduct, as measured by homicides, suicides, and arrest rates, and by declining achievement test scores. Students in smaller schools have fewer, but more intense and enduring relationships with adults in their school life. Modest ameliorative proposals are…

Two studies used a job interview role-play situation to examine strategies that interviewers employed when asking personal as compared to neutral questions. They found that personal questions were asked later in the interview than neutral questions and that more hesitation markers, tag questions, and hedges were used with personal questions than…

Twenty-seven married couples completed Adult Attachment Interview, were rated as secure or insecure with respect to attachment, and completed measures of marital satisfaction. Found that self-reported marhdal satisfaction was not related to adult attachment classifications. Insecure-secure and secure-secure dyads did not differ, but both groups…

Examined associations between levels of satisfaction and intimacy in, and longevity of, dating relationships involving first-year college students and their back-home partners. Findings from 89 students revealed that satisfaction was effective predictor of relationship stability for both sexes. Other components of men's and women's respective…

Examined affiliation need and interpersonal closeness in college students (n=74). Need for social comparison declined with age for both sexes; females were more attached to their partners than were males. For females only, adolescents' need for stimulation peaked around age 18 or 19 and then declined, and need for emotional support declined in…

Investigated effects of interventions from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Marital Therapy (CMT) on levels of marital intimacy, dyadic trust, and dyadic adjustment. Thirty-six couples free of marital distress and seeking to enhance their intimate relationship were randomly assigned to EFT, CMT, or control group. Both treatment…

Examines the thoughts romantic partners (one or both of whom were enrolled in introductory communication courses) have during the course of interaction. Indicates that those dissatisfied with their relationship expressed significantly more negative thoughts. Suggests that there are distinctions between the concurrent cognitions of satisfied and…

Eleventh- and twelfth-grade adolescents (N=18) were videotaped during same-sex and opposite-sex interactions. In both grades, females felt more comfortable during same-sex interactions and rated their same-sex partners more positively than did males. Females in both grades and eleventh-grade males showed more peer intimacy than did twelfth-grade…

Grieving following the loss of a romantic relationship in young adulthood was examined (N=148). Sex differences, disenfranchisement of grief by others, beliefs about loss, who initiated breakup, and recovery time were studied. Findings point to the importance of recognizing grief reactions in counseling and psychotherapy with young adults. (EMK)

Explores intimacy enhancement through a psychoeducational method, the Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS) Program. Participants were more distressed and less intimate than general population. Clients' perceptions of intimacy and what maintains intimacy were measured. Findings suggest a multifaceted view of intimacy.…

Reflects on the author's own personal background as a reader, including how television led her to more books and sparked her interest in a literary career. Discusses why, in a technological society, people care about literature. Argues that the Internet has its valuable uses, and that literature and technology can be good friends. (SR)