Close relationship: a theoretical survey of research and conceptualisation of the model

Abstract

The article presents a conceptual model of close relationships. Close relationships are a specific and multicomponent phenomenon in the living space of modernity. On the basis of the analysis of sources and rethinking of the data obtained earlier, close relationships are considered as a type of interpersonal relations. It is a meaningful, selective relationship of people aimed at satisfying their need for love and belonging, based on affiliative feelings and attachment. Closeness in relationships is defined as a structural property of the dyad, including the strength, frequency, psychological distance, the variety of interrelationships that exist between people. It is noted that close relationships are set by social roles. Reciprocal roles, for example, parent and child, husband and wife set the initial belonging of these relationships to the category of close, but do not guarantee the presence in them of intimacy as a qualitative characteristic. The invariant (partners' attachment to each other, emotional experiences, psychological distance; value-semantic unity; involvement) categorical attributes of close relationships were identified. The variation signs characterising their main types (romantic, marital, friendship, love, kinship) are described. It is noted that the dynamics conditioned by the totality of factors determines the variety of close relationships – dysfunctional and functional. We understood the limitations and prospects for further developments in this area.