Handbook of Closeness and Intimacy

This handbook brings together the latest thinking on the scientific study of closeness and intimacy from some of the most active and widely recognized relationship scholars in social and clinical psychology, communication studies, and related disciplines. Each contributing author defines their understanding of the meaning of closeness and intimacy; summarizes existing research and provides an overview of a theoretical framework; presents new ideas, applications, and previously unstated theoretical connections; and provides cross-references to other chapters to further integrate the material. The Handbook of Closeness and Intimacy will be of interest to researchers, practitioners, and students from social, clinical, and developmental psychology; family studies; counseling; and communication.

Dr. Debra J. Mashek is a member of the research faculty at George Mason University. She received her Ph.D. in Social and Health Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Her research examines the influence of interpersonal closeness (including community connectednes) on cognitive self-processing, relationship satisfaction, and psychological adjustment.
Dr. Arthur Aron is Professor of Psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He has published widely on relationships, has been awarded major grants for the study of relationships, and is best known for his work on the cognitive structure of closeness. He recently completed a six-year term as Associate Editor of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.