Introduction to Close Relationships

Introduction to Close Relationships

• Close relationships are fundamental to human existence
• They have the greatest impact on well-being, quality of life, and health
• They promote happiness

Benefits of Close Relationships

• Health: Close relationships benefit overall health
• Sexual Intimacy: Sexual intimacy is linked to happiness for many people
• Financial: Married people accumulate more wealth than those who are single, cohabiting, or divorced
• Relationship transitions: Divorce is costly

Relationship Quality and Health

• People with congestive heart failure who have a worse marriage are more likely to die within 4 years

What Makes a Relationship Intimate?

• Interdependent: Partners' lives become intertwined
• Personal: Partners know each other's thoughts, feelings, and experiences
• Close: Partners feel close and connected
• Intimate: Partners share a sense of emotional closeness

Intimate Relationships

• Intimate relationships are characterized by:
  • Interdependence
  • Closeness
  • Passion
  • Commitment
  • Love

Research Sample Bias

• Psychology research samples often come from WEIRD societies: Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic
• Relationship science samples are often similar, with many studies focusing on white, heterosexual women from the US
• Research from 2014-2018 reveals a lack of diversity in relationship science samples. Most studies focused on participants under 30 years old, with college education or higher, middle class or wealthier, and primarily white.

Importance of Diverse Samples

• The lack of diverse samples limits the generalizability of research findings
• It may miss variations in relationship experiences across different groups
• Unique theoretical and empirical angles might be overlooked

Gender and Sex

• Biological sex refers to biological characteristics like chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy
• Gender is a person's deep-felt sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or a different gender entirely

Binary Assumptions

• The idea that there are only two sexes is a binary assumption. However, 1-2% of individuals show differences in sexual development
• The belief that there are only two genders is also a binary assumption. 1-2% of individuals are transgender and/or gender diverse.

Representation of Gender Diverse Participants

• Less than 2% of relationship science studies report inclusion of gender diverse participants.

Sexual Orientation

• Sexual orientation exists on a continuum, with variations in attraction and identity beyond the traditional labels of gay, straight, and bisexual.
• A sizable minority identify as “mostly heterosexual.”
• Asexuality is a lack of sexual desire or attraction to either sex.

Representation of LGBTQ+ Inclusive Research

• Limited research focuses on LGBTQ+ relationship experiences.
• LGBTQ+ relationships are not just same-sex couples.

LGBTQ Relationship Initiation

• Same-sex couples often rely on different pathways for relationship initiation compared to heterosexual couples.
• LGBTQ+ couples are more likely to meet through friends or family.

LGBTQ Relationship Quality

• LGBTQ+ people often report similar levels of relationship quality compared to heterosexual couples.
• Studies reveal strong commitment, satisfaction, and emotional intimacy in same-sex relationships.

Discrimination in Same-sex Relationships

• Same-sex couples face greater discrimination and harassment which can negatively impact relationship quality
• Being motivated to conceal their identity and relationships can negatively affect well-being.

Discrimination Impacts on Relationship Quality

• Lack of social support for relationships can impact relationship quality.
• Positive feelings towards LGBTQ+ identity can enhance relationship well-being.

Bisexual People’s Relationship Experiences

• Bisexual people face bias from potential partners, with both gay and straight people preferring to date individuals within their own identity groups.
• Making their bisexual identity visible in a relationship can present unique challenges.

Bisexual Visibility in Relationships

• Bisexual identity is often less visible in relationships compared to single individuals.

Experiences for Trans People in Relationships

• Trans people face prejudice and exclusion in various aspects of their lives, including within relationships.

Experiences for Trans People in Relationships

• Trans people face prejudice and exclusion in various aspects of their lives, including within relationships.
• This exclusion can manifest in areas such as healthcare, housing, employment, and relationship acceptance.