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A lack of intimacy has been identified as a lethal aspect of the male role. This research examined the influence of a confidant and the characteristics of that relationship on the well-being of 1,200 older men. In general, the presence of a confidant or characteristics of the confidant (sex, age, frequency of contact) had little influence on psychological well-being. Intimacy and disclosure may be less important to men than has been supposed.
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Keith et al. (1984) studied this question.
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