Defining Intimacy in Romantic Relationships

Although the ongoing sharing of romantic intimacy is recognized as being health promoting and as a sought-after goal, there has been no consensus in the literature on a definition of the construct. The present paper proposes a multidimensional definition of romantic intimacy that was developedfollowing a review and analysis of published definitions of intimacy. The differences between the constructs of love and intimacy are also discussed, as well as how the present definition may have value to family practitioners.