Identify a mechanism that is an integral part of the process of building an intimate relationship.

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Identify a mechanism that is an integral part of the process of building an intimate relationship.

Identify a mechanism that is an integral part of the process of building an intimate relationship.

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Highlights

Intimacy in social interactions has an important influence on health and well-being.

A form of intimacy can be experienced in online interactions.

Research into the relationship between online intimacy and well-being is critically limited.

Analysis of components of intimacy sheds light on its contribution to health and well-being.

Future directions for fundamental and practical research are proposed.

Abstract

Engagement in intimate social interactions and relationships has an important influence on well-being. However, recent advances in Internet and mobile communication technologies have lead to a major shift in the mode of human social interactions, raising the question of how these technologies are impacting the experience of interpersonal intimacy and its relationship with well-being. Although the study of intimacy in online social interactions is still in its early stages, there is general agreement that a form of online intimacy can be experienced in this context. However, research into the relationship between online intimacy and well-being is critically limited. Our aim is to begin to address this research void by providing an operative perspective on this emerging field. After considering the characteristics of online intimacy, its multimodal components and its caveats, we present an analysis of existing evidence for the potential impact of online intimacy on well-being. We suggest that studies thus far have focused on online social interactions in a general sense, shedding little light on how the level of intimacy in these interactions may affect well-being outcomes. We then consider findings from studies of different components of intimacy in online social interactions, specifically self-disclosure and social support, to indirectly explore the potential contribution of online intimacy to health and well-being. Based on this analysis, we propose future directions for fundamental and practical research in this important new area of investigation.

Keywords

Online intimacy

Online interactions

Online social support

Online self-disclosure

Well-being

Cited by (0)

© 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Summary

Read the full fact sheet

  • Sharing your deepest thoughts and emotions with someone you love can be one of the most rewarding aspects of a relationship.
  • Be aware of the need to explore ways to share intimacy without sex.
  • Intimacy in a relationship doesn’t just happen. It is built up over time.
  • Abuse or violence in a relationship destroys trust and intimacy and signals that the relationship is in trouble. 

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Identify a mechanism that is an integral part of the process of building an intimate relationship.

Identify a mechanism that is an integral part of the process of building an intimate relationship.

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

Identify a mechanism that is an integral part of the process of building an intimate relationship.

Identify a mechanism that is an integral part of the process of building an intimate relationship.

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