Fear Of Intimacy Research Articles

Investigating Failure in Establishing Intimate Relationships: A Psychoanalytical Study of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler

Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler is full of psychological implications. It is a play in which Ibsen has dealt with the complexity of romantic relationships. The study relies on Freud's theory of the unconscious involving unconscious motives, repression, fear of intimacy, displacement, anxiety and neurosis. Many young characters in the play try to establish intimate relationships, but they fail in their effort. Most of the characters are suffering from the fear of intimacy. This leads to make an analysis of their unconscious motives and desires. The study finds that most of the characters in this play are controlled by their unconscious desire for having power over the people they want to be intimate with. This is why they fail to establish intimate relations with the important individuals in their life. The study offers an application of Freudian concepts to literature. It also helps in understanding causes for the failure of intimate relationships.

Fear of Intimacy in Rabih Alameddine’s I, The Divine

The paper examines how the Lebanese American novelist Rabih Alameddine in I, The Divine (2002) shows the psychology of hybrid subject in Diaspora. Through creating a fictional space, the author sheds light on how Sarah suffers from fear of intimacy due to a combination of past traumatic experiences: The Lebanese Civil War, the rape scene, separation from her mother. Through a close reading of Alameddine’s novel, the study does not only stress how fear of abandonment, fear of betrayal, and fear of low self- esteem intertwine to form a fear of intimacy in Sarah’s emotional relations, but it also highlights how the protagonist unconsciously avoids attachment as a defense mechanism employing Freud’s ideas.

청소년기 대인간 외상경험과 초기 성인기 친밀감에 대한 두려움의 관계에서 거부민감성의 매개효과 : 성별에 따른 다집단 분석

청소년기 대인간 외상경험과 초기 성인기 친밀감에 대한 두려움의 관계에서 거부민감성의 매개효과 : 성별에 따른 다집단 분석

Factors associated with fear of intimacy among a representative sample of the Lebanese population: The role of depression, social phobia, self-esteem, intimate partner violence, attachment, and maladaptive schemas.

To assess fear of intimacy (FOI) in the Lebanese population, and its correlates such as depression, social phobia, self-esteem, attachment, and maladaptive schemas. This cross-sectional study, conducted between November 2017 and May 2018, enrolled 707 community-dwelling participants. Higher FOI scores were associated with an increase in the defectiveness schema (β = 0.483), social phobia score (β = 0.16), mistrust schema (β = 0.519), vulnerability schema (β = 0.482), emotional deprivation schema (β = 0.548), attachment style D (dismissing) (β = 0.913) and failure schema, whereas lower FOI was significantly associated with an increase in the entitlement schema (β = -0.362), insufficient schema (β = -0.377), and the self-esteem score (β = -0.288). Implementing educational programs are needed to enable persons to develop healthy intimate relationships, taking into account attachment styles and inappropriate early schemas.

Alexithymia, Loneliness and Fear of Intimacy: Predictors of Attitudes Toward Infidelity in Men

Alexithymia, Loneliness and Fear of Intimacy: Predictors of Attitudes Toward Infidelity in Men

The Relation of Vulnerable Narcissism with Attachment Styles, Emotion Regulation, Rejection Sensitivity, Fear of Intimacy and Self-Concealment

Bu çalışmanın temel amacı, kırılgan narsisizm ile yetişkin bağlanma stilleri, duygu düzenleme güçlüğü, reddedilme duyarlılığı, yakınlık korkusu ve kendini saklama değişkenleri arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesidir. Çalışmanın ikinci amacı ise, bağlanma ile kırılgan narsisizm arasındaki ilişkide duygu düzenlemenin, kendini saklama ile kırılgan narsisizm arasındaki ilişkide ise reddedilme duyarlılığının olası aracı rollerinin sınanmasıdır. Bu amaçla, normal popülasyondan seçilen 18-60 yaş arası toplam 236 yetişkin katılımcı çalışmanın örneklemini oluşturmuştur. Katılımcılara Aşırı Duyarlı Narsisizm Ölçeği, Yakın İlişkilerde Yaşantılar Envanteri-II, Duygu Düzenlemede Güçlükler Ölçeği, Yetişkin Reddedilme Duyarlılığı Ölçeği, Yakınlık Korkusu Ölçeği ve Kendini Saklama Envanteri uygulanmıştır. Çalışmanın bulgularında, kırılgan narsisizm ile kaygılı bağlanma, duygu düzenleme güçlüğü, reddedilme duyarlılığı ve kendini saklama arasında anlamlı pozitif ilişkilere rastlanmış, kırılgan narsisizm ile yakınlık korkusu arasında ise anlamlı negatif ilişkinin olduğu gözlenmiştir. Tüm bağımsız değişkenlerin bir arada analize sokulduğu aşamalı regresyon analizi sonucunda, değişkenlerin bir arada kırılgan narsisizmin varyansının %21’ini açıkladığı bulunmuştur. Ayrıca, bağlanma ile kırılgan narsisizm arasındaki ilişkide duygu düzenlemenin tam aracı rolü olduğu, kendini saklama ile kırılgan narsisizm arasındaki ilişkide ise reddedilme duyarlılığının kısmi aracılık yaptığı saptanmıştır.

Psychological Maladjustment Mediates the Relation Between Remembrances of Parental Rejection in Childhood and Adults’ Fear of Intimacy: A Multicultural Study

This study assesses interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory’s (IPARTheory’s) prediction that adults’ (both men’s and women’s) remembrances of parental (both maternal and paternal) rejection in childhood are likely to be associated with adults’ fear of intimacy, as mediated by adults’ psychological maladjustment and relationship anxiety. The study also assesses the prediction that these associations will not vary significantly by gender, ethnicity, language, culture, or other such defining conditions. To test these predictions a sample of 3,483 young adults in 13 nations responded to the mother and father versions of the Adult Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (short forms), Adult Personality Assessment Questionnaire (short form), the Interpersonal Relationship Anxiety Questionnaire, the Fear of Intimacy Scale, and the Revised Personal Information Form. Results of multigroup analyses showed that adults’ remembrances of both maternal and paternal rejection in childhood independently predicted men’s and women’s fear of intimacy in all 13 countries. However, remembered maternal rejection was a significantly stronger predictor of adults’ fear of intimacy than was remembered paternal rejection. Results also confirmed the prediction in all 13 countries and across both genders that both maternal and paternal rejection independently predicted adults’ psychological maladjustment and relationship anxiety, which in turn predicted fear of intimacy. In addition, psychological maladjustment partially mediated the relation between remembrances of maternal and paternal rejection, and adults’ fear of intimacy in all 13 countries and both genders.

Suspicious Jealousy Is Related to Anxious Attachment and Is Mediated By Fear of Intimacy

Relationships between insecure attachment (anxious and avoidant), fear of intimacy and romantic jealousy (suspicious and reactive) were explored in this study. The Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire, the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale, and the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale were administered to a sample of 210 ethnically diverse adults via Qualtrics Panels. Anxious attachment, fear of intimacy, and suspicious jealousy were positively correlated. Conversely, negative associations were noted between avoidant attachment and reactive jealousy, and between fear of intimacy and reactive jealousy. Mediation analysis revealed that fear of intimacy mediated the effect of anxious attachment on suspicious jealousy and marginally mediated the effect of avoidant attachment on suspicious jealousy. These results are consistent with the transactional model of jealousy and they uniquely specify that fear of intimacy is a significant mediator of the relationship between anxious attachment and suspicious jealousy.

中国18岁~30岁青年女性的亲密恐惧——成人依恋、完美主义与亲密恐惧的关系研究

中国18岁~30岁青年女性的亲密恐惧——成人依恋、完美主义与亲密恐惧的关系研究

An Exploration of the Link Between Masculinity and Endorsement of IPV Myths in American Men.

Current research has established a connection between men's endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology and their perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) toward women. However, research has not yet identified the cognitive and affective pathways that link the endorsement of masculinity ideology and men's beliefs about IPV. The current study examined men's fear of intimacy, ambivalent (i.e., hostile and benevolent) sexism, and relationship dominance as potential mediating factors of the relationship between endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology and the acceptance of myths about male-to-female IPV in a community sample of 101 American men. Results supported the hypothesized relationship between men's endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology and their support of myths minimizing the impact of male-to-female IPV or shifting the perceived responsibility for the offenses from the male perpetrators to the female victims. Multiple regression analyses indicated that while men's hostile sexism and a preference for dominance in relationships did partially mediate the proposed relationship, fear of intimacy did not. The sample was largely homogeneous in terms of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and educational background, although heterogeneous in age. Implications for prevention of IPV include the importance of addressing and challenging the pervasiveness of societal support of IPV myths. Clinical implications include the need for male-centric therapeutic interventions that respect male viewpoints, struggles, and strengths, and that work with, rather than against, a client's sense of masculinity.

Relations between Remembered Childhood Parental Acceptance-Rejection, Current Fear of Intimacy, and Psychological adjustment among Pakistani Adults

Relations between Remembered Childhood Parental Acceptance-Rejection, Current Fear of Intimacy, and Psychological adjustment among Pakistani Adults

성장글쓰기가 데이트 폭력 피해자의 기본 세계관과 친밀한 관계에 대한 두려움에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 데이트 폭력 피해자를 대상으로 성장글쓰기 프로그램을 실시하여 기본 세계관과 친밀한 관계에 대한 두려움에 미치는 영향을검증하였다. 연구 대상은 데이트 폭력 경험은 있으나 현재 이성교제 중이 아닌 만 19세에서 만 38세 사이 여성이다. 글쓰기는 4일간 연속 실시되었고 참여자는 사전, 사후, 추수(2주)에 걸쳐 기본 세계관(WAS)과 친밀한 관계에 대한 두려움(FIS)을 측정하였다. 최종 프로그램 참여자는 성장글쓰기 10명, 표현글쓰기 11명, 통제 7명이었다. 분석을 위해 일원분산분석, 반복측정 공분산분석, 대응표본 t-검증을 실시하였다. 연구 결과, 성장글쓰기가 데이트 폭력 피해자의 긍정적 세계관을 증가시킬 것이라는 첫 번째 가설은 부분 지지되었다. 성장글쓰기 직후기본 세계관 점수의 증가는 유의하지 않았으나, 글쓰기 종료 14일 이후에는 사전 점수에 비해 유의한 증가를 보였다. 반면, 성장글쓰기가 데이트 폭력 피해자의 친밀한 관계에 대한 두려움을 감소시킬 것이라는 두 번째 가설은 기각되었다. 본 연구를 통해 성장글쓰기가 4일간의처치 직후 데이트 폭력 피해자의 기본 세계관을 개선하지는 못하나 장기적인 관점에서 긍정적 영향을 줄 수 있음을 확인하였다. 다만, 단순한 자기노출만으로는 대인관계 맥락에서의 친밀한 관계에 대한 두려움을 감소시키기에 한계가 있음을 시사한다. 마지막으로 본 연구의 의의와 한계점, 추후 연구 제안을 기술하였다.

Correction: Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the fear of intimacy with helping professionals scale.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196774.].

The Roles of Social Anxiety and Sexual Communication in Marriage Relationships

Past research shows strong connections between sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, and relationship satisfaction in romantic couples. However, social anxiety tends to inhibit communication and self-disclosure about sensitive topics, including sex. In this research, I aimed to determine the role social anxiety plays in sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, and relationship satisfaction in married couples. I hypothesized that social anxiety would not have strong impacts on sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, and relationship satisfactionin married couples because of the familiarity that comes along with marriage. 16 heterosexual couples, or 32 individuals, completed a five-section survey to measure each individual’s sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, sexual communication satisfaction, fear of intimacy, and social anxiety. Results showed significant moderate correlations between social anxiety and every other variable: sexual satisfaction, r(30) = -.44, p= .01; relationship satisfaction, r(30) = -.43, p= .01; sexual communication, r(30) = -.47, p< .01; and fear of intimacy, r(30) = .55, p< .01. Socially anxious individuals also reported significantly decreased sexual satisfaction compared to non-anxious individuals. Implications for future research are discussed.Keywords:social anxiety, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, sexual communication, fear of intimacy, marriage

Assisting youth masturbatory practices in institutions for people designated as autistic: collective management, fear of intimacy

A partir d'une enquete ethnographique de quatorze mois dans trois institutions specialisees pour adolescent.e.s dit.e.s autistes, et d'une trentaine d'entretiens avec les professionnel.le.s de ces etablissements, cet article aborde les discours et les pratiques autour de la masturbation. Alors que la sexualite est declaree interdite par les directions dans ces structures, la masturbation s'y trouve legitimee au nom de la decouverte du corps, et en tant que symbole de l'adolescence. Pourtant, la maniere de l'aborder depend du sexe de la personne, avec une publicisation et une mise en discussion plus forte pour les garcons. Une gestion collective et concertee permet de produire un accompagnement visant a la privatisation des actes masturbatoires. En revanche, s'il est possible de considerer la masturbation comme une pratique necessitant un apprentissage afin d'acceder au plaisir ou d'eviter la frustration, il n'y a pas de consensus chez les professionnel.le.s sur la maniere, la legitimite ou encore la necessite d’accompagner les individus sur ce point.

The role of adult attachment orientation and coping in psychological adjustment to living with skin conditions

Skin conditions can impact significantly on everyday life, particularly relationships. However, some patients are more distressed by these problems than others, regardless of disease severity. There is some evidence that the extent to which patients seek support from friends and family (“attachment orientation”) predicts how well they cope with chronic health conditions, but there has been little previous research with regard to skin disorders. These psychologists in Sheffield, UK, investigated this using online questionnaires in 206 adults recruited through universities and patient support groups. Participants had to have been diagnosed with a skin condition by a health care professional and experiencing symptoms over the last 6 months. Psychological adjustment to their skin disorder was assessed using scores for appearance‐related distress and skin‐related quality of life (QoL). Two dimensions of attachment orientation were measured: fear of intimacy (“attachment avoidance”) and fear of abandonment (“attachment anxiety”). The use of 2 coping strategies was also studied: defeatism (e.g. giving up, denial or turning to drugs or alcohol) and activity (humour, venting, seeking help or coming up with a plan). They found that people showing higher attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety reported more defeatist attitudes, resulting in higher levels of appearance‐related distress and lower QoL, both emotional and functioning aspects. Surprisingly, people using active coping strategies also experienced more appearance‐related distress, perhaps being less accepting of their condition. The authors conclude that people with insecure attachment orientation are more troubled by their skin condition and might benefit from psychological interventions targeting underlying attachment orientation.

The impact of perceived oral health status and self-efficacy on fear of intimacy among university of students.

The impact of perceived oral health status and self-efficacy on fear of intimacy among university of students.

The Mediating Effects of Rejection Sensitivity and Fear of Intimacy in the Relationship between Disconnection and Rejection Schemas and Emotional Cutoff

The Mediating Effects of Rejection Sensitivity and Fear of Intimacy in the Relationship between Disconnection and Rejection Schemas and Emotional Cutoff

Art Regression: On Unconsciousness Trend of The Picture of Dorian Gray

As a most important representative of aestheticism, Oscar Wilde holds the view of “art for art sake”. His novel The Picture of Dorian Gray opens the dialogue between art and psychology, which reveals the dual functions of art in shaping personality from the unconscious level. On the one hand, art can bring people aesthetic experience; on the other hand, misreading to art can bring serious damage to both individual and society. By means of psychoanalysis, interpretation to this novel shows that Dorian Gray’s personality split comes from his personal unconsciousness development; his life experience, art obsession and sex impulse directly refer to the three developing stages: inferiority complex, psychological defense mechanism and fear of intimacy. They jointly construct Dorian Gray’s dual personalities. His unconsciousness encourages his desire expansion.

MH Issues in Cancer Survivors Persist Long After Treatment Ends

MH Issues in Cancer Survivors Persist Long After Treatment Ends