Intimate Relationships across the Lifespan

Abdul Khaleque, PhD, is adjunct professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut and Senior Scientist in the Ronald and Nancy Rohner Center for the Study of Interpersonal Acceptance and Rejection at the University of Connecticut.

• Foreword by Ronald P. RohnerPrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter 1 IntroductionOrigin and Meaning of IntimacyElements of IntimacyIntimate RelationshipsDynamics and Dimensions of Intimate RelationshipsDimensions of Intimate RelationshipsFear of IntimacyCorrelates of Intimate RelationshipsChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 2 Research MethodsMajor ConceptsCharacteristics of ResearchResearch ObjectivesResearch InformationResearch Topic and ProposalHypothesisResearch DesignsSamplingChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 3 Intimate Relationships across the LifespanMajor Lifespan PremisesAttachment Relationships during AdolescenceRomantic Relationships of AdolescentsSexual Behavior of AdolescentsTeen Pregnancy and AbortionAdult Intimate RelationshipsChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 4 Historical and Theoretical Perspectives of Intimate RelationshipsHistorical PerspectiveTheoretical PerspectivePsychosocial TheoryHumanistic TheoryBioecological Systems TheoryChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 5 Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory and Attachment TheoryInterpersonal Acceptance-Rejection TheoryOrigin of Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection TheoryBasic Tenets of Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection TheoryParadigm Shift in Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection TheoryCross-Cultural Implications of Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection TheoryCriticisms of the TheoryAttachment TheoryChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 6 Theory-Based Research on Intimate RelationshipsReview of IPARTheory LiteratureAttachment Research LiteratureReview of Adult Attachment ResearchChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 7 Communication in Intimate RelationshipsDifferent Categories of CommunicationEffective CommunicationChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 8 Attraction and Intimate RelationshipsFoundation of AttractionAttraction and PersonalityAttraction among Gays and LesbiansAttraction and Gender StereotypesAttraction and Gender-Atypical TraitsPredictors of AttractionTheories of AttractionChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 9 FriendshipBasis of FriendshipsComponents of FriendshipCharacteristics of a Good FriendDifference between Friendship and LoveRules of FriendshipQuality of FriendshipFriendship ExpectationsDimensions of Friendship ExpectationsDifferences in FriendshipCross-Sex FriendshipManaging Sexual Attraction in FriendshipObstacles to FriendshipFriendship across the LifespanDevelopmental Outcomes of FriendshipChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 10 LoveComponents of LovePatterns of LoveIndividual Differences in LoveDifferent Perspectives on LoveHow Long Does Love Last?Chapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 11 SexualitySexual Attitudes and BehaviorSexual Attitudes and Behavior of Older AdultsSexual Double StandardSexual OrientationSexual Orientation and Gender IdentityCultural Aspects of SexualitySexual Desire and GenderSex in Marital and Nonmarital RelationshipsSafe and Healthy SexSexual Ethics, Morality, and ReligionSexual SatisfactionSexual Coercion and Aggression in Intimate RelationshipsChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 12 Intimate Relationships in Married LifeTypes of MarriageMarital Partner SelectionPerforming MarriageEffects of Social Changes on MarriageIntimacy in MarriageMarriage and HappinessMarital Quality, Satisfaction, and HappinessHappy and Stable MarriageTheories of Marital Satisfaction and HappinessMoney and Marital HappinessPredictors of HappinessSteps to HappinessDivorceRemarriageChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 13 Intimate Relationships in Alternative LifestylesCohabitationLesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender RelationshipsLesbian RelationshipsGay RelationshipsRelationships between Bisexual Men and WomenTransgender RelationshipsGenderqueer RelationshipsChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 14 Conflict, Abuse, and Violence in Intimate RelationshipsConflict in Intimate RelationshipsPartner AbuseViolence in Intimate RelationshipsChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 15 Deterioration and Loss of Intimate RelationshipsDeterioration of Intimate RelationshipsLoss of Intimate RelationshipsStages of DissolutionPostbreakup RelationshipsCoping with Relationship BreakupsChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsChapter 16 Reconstruction and Enhancement of Intimate RelationshipsTechniques for Repairing Intimate RelationshipsEnrichment of Intimate RelationshipsMaintenance of Intimate RelationshipsChapter SummaryReflective QuestionsReferencesIndex

Written by Abdul Khaleque, who has extensively researched the topic, it was expected that this book would be exceptional—and it more than lives up to that promise. Conceived primarily for undergraduate students, the book is an invaluable resource not only for them but also for graduate students, faculties, practitioners, and general audiences… The book is well-written in a clear, straightforward, unambiguous style that is ideal for learners. . . . Intimate Relationships across the Lifespan is rare in its quality. The book is essential reading for everyone interested in the study of intimate relationships, and it is even more important to those who study interpersonal acceptance and rejection.