Psychological Intimacy in the Lasting Relationships of Heterosexual and Same-Gender Couples

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The data offer hypotheses for exploration and testing in future research on lasting relationships. In addition to the factors that had a shaping effect on psychological intimacy in recent years, subtle differences were found between lesbian and other participants. Differences based on gender and sexual orientation suggest a subtle interacting dynamic of these factors on psychological intimacy in relationships that last. We suggest that a mutually reinforcing dynamic between two women committed to personal and relational development may explain the subtle yet important differences between lesbian couples and the other couples in this study. We hope that these findings and our observations about them will be helpful to other researchers engaged in the study of lasting relationships.

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Source: Sex Roles: A Journal of Research

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