Editing Intimate relationship (section)

== Benefits ==

=== Psychological well-being ===
[[File:Couple_hugging_and_smiling.jpg|thumb|Intimate relationships impact well-being.]]
Intimate relationships impact [[happiness]] and [[Life satisfaction|satisfaction with life]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Proulx |first1=Christine M. |last2=Helms |first2=Heather M. |last3=Buehler |first3=Cheryl |date=2007 |title=Marital Quality and Personal Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00393.x |journal=Journal of Marriage and Family |language=en |volume=69 |issue=3 |pages=576–593 |doi=10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00393.x |issn=0022-2445}}</ref> While people with better [[mental health]] are more likely to enter intimate relationships, the relationships themselves also have a positive impact on mental health even after controlling for the [[Selection bias|selection effect]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Braithwaite |first1=Scott |last2=Holt-Lunstad |first2=Julianne |date=2017 |title=Romantic relationships and mental health |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X16300252 |journal=Current Opinion in Psychology |series=Relationships and stress |volume=13 |pages=120–125 |doi=10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.001 |pmid=28813281 |issn=2352-250X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In general, marriage and other types of committed intimate relationships are consistently linked to increases in happiness.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Stack |first1=Steven |last2=Eshleman |first2=J. Ross |date=1998 |title=Marital Status and Happiness: A 17-Nation Study |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/353867 |journal=Journal of Marriage and Family |volume=60 |issue=2 |pages=527–536 |doi=10.2307/353867 |jstor=353867 |issn=0022-2445|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Furthermore, due to the interdependent nature of relationships, one partner's life satisfaction influences and predicts change in the other person's life satisfaction even after controlling for relationship quality.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gustavson |first1=Kristin |last2=Røysamb |first2=Espen |last3=Borren |first3=Ingrid |last4=Torvik |first4=Fartein Ask |last5=Karevold |first5=Evalill |date=2016-06-01 |title=Life Satisfaction in Close Relationships: Findings from a Longitudinal Study |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-015-9643-7 |journal=Journal of Happiness Studies |language=en |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=1293–1311 |doi=10.1007/s10902-015-9643-7 |s2cid=254703008 |issn=1573-7780|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==== Social support ====
Social support from an intimate partner is beneficial for coping with [[Stress (biology)|stress]] and significant life events.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Sullivan |first1=Kieran T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=df9cCAAAQBAJ&dq=intimate+relationships+and+social+support&pg=PA26 |title=Support Processes in Intimate Relationships |last2=Davila |first2=Joanne |date=2010-06-11 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-045229-2 |language=en}}</ref> Having a close relationship with someone who is perceived as responsive and validating helps to alleviate the negative impact of stress,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Raposa |first1=Elizabeth B. |last2=Laws |first2=Holly B. |last3=Ansell |first3=Emily B. |date=2016 |title=Prosocial Behavior Mitigates the Negative Effects of Stress in Everyday Life |journal=Clinical Psychological Science: A Journal of the Association for Psychological Science |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=691–698 |doi=10.1177/2167702615611073 |issn=2167-7026 |pmc=4974016 |pmid=27500075}}</ref> and shared activities with an intimate partner aids in regulating emotions associated with stressful experiences.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lakey |first1=Brian |last2=Orehek |first2=Edward |date=2011 |title=Relational regulation theory: A new approach to explain the link between perceived social support and mental health. |url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/a0023477 |journal=Psychological Review |language=en |volume=118 |issue=3 |pages=482–495 |doi=10.1037/a0023477 |pmid=21534704 |s2cid=20717156 |issn=1939-1471}}</ref> Support for positive experiences can also improve relationship quality and increase shared positive emotions between people. When a person responds actively and constructively to their partner sharing good news (a process called "capitalization"), well-being for both individuals increases.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Peters |first1=Brett J. |last2=Reis |first2=Harry T. |last3=Gable |first3=Shelly L. |date=2018 |title=Making the good even better: A review and theoretical model of interpersonal capitalization |url=https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/spc3.12407 |journal=Social and Personality Psychology Compass |language=en |volume=12 |issue=7 |doi=10.1111/spc3.12407 |s2cid=149686889 |issn=1751-9004|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Donato |first1=Silvia |last2=Pagani |first2=Ariela |last3=Parise |first3=Miriam |last4=Bertoni |first4=Anna |last5=Iafrate |first5=Raffaella |date=2014 |title=The Capitalization Process in Stable Couple Relationships: Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Benefits |journal=Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences |language=en |volume=140 |pages=207–211 |doi=10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.04.411|doi-access=free }}</ref>

==== Sexual intimacy ====
In intimate relationships that are sexual, sexual satisfaction is closely tied to overall relationship satisfaction.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Maxwell |first1=Jessica A. |last2=McNulty |first2=James K. |date=2019 |title=No Longer in a Dry Spell: The Developing Understanding of How Sex Influences Romantic Relationships |journal=Current Directions in Psychological Science |language=en |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=102–107 |doi=10.1177/0963721418806690 |s2cid=149470236 |issn=0963-7214|doi-access=free }}</ref> Sex promotes intimacy, increases happiness,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Cheng |first1=Zhiming |last2=Smyth |first2=Russell |date=2015-04-01 |title=Sex and happiness |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167268115000050 |journal=Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization |volume=112 |pages=26–32 |doi=10.1016/j.jebo.2014.12.030 |issn=0167-2681|url-access=subscription }}</ref> provides pleasure, and reduces stress.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Meston |first1=Cindy M. |last2=Buss |first2=David M. |date=2007-07-03 |title=Why Humans Have Sex |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10508-007-9175-2 |journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=477–507 |doi=10.1007/s10508-007-9175-2 |pmid=17610060 |s2cid=6182053 |issn=0004-0002|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ein-Dor |first1=Tsachi |last2=Hirschberger |first2=Gilad |date=2012 |title=Sexual healing: Daily diary evidence that sex relieves stress for men and women in satisfying relationships |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0265407511431185 |journal=Journal of Social and Personal Relationships |language=en |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=126–139 |doi=10.1177/0265407511431185 |s2cid=73681719 |issn=0265-4075|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Studies show that couples who have sex at least once per week report greater well-being than those who have sex less than once per week.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Muise |first1=Amy |last2=Schimmack |first2=Ulrich |last3=Impett |first3=Emily A. |date=2016 |title=Sexual Frequency Predicts Greater Well-Being, But More is Not Always Better |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1948550615616462 |journal=Social Psychological and Personality Science |language=en |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=295–302 |doi=10.1177/1948550615616462 |s2cid=146679264 |issn=1948-5506|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Research in [[human sexuality]] finds that the ingredients of high quality sex include feeling connected to your partner, good communication, vulnerability, and feeling present in the moment. High quality sex in intimate relationships can both strengthen the relationship and improve well-being for each individual involved.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kleinplatz |first1=Peggy J. |last2=Menard |first2=A. Dana |last3=Paquet |first3=Marie-Pierre |last4=Paradis |first4=Nicolas |last5=Campbell |first5=Meghan |last6=Zuccarino |first6=Dino |last7=Mehak |first7=Lisa |date=2009 |title=The components of optimal sexuality: A portrait of "great sex" |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232545283 |journal=Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality |volume=18 |issue=1–2}}</ref>

=== Physical health ===
High quality intimate relationships have a positive impact on [[Health|physical health]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Slatcher |first1=Richard B. |last2=Selcuk |first2=Emre |date=2017 |title=A Social Psychological Perspective on the Links Between Close Relationships and Health |journal=Current Directions in Psychological Science |language=en |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=16–21 |doi=10.1177/0963721416667444 |issn=0963-7214 |pmc=5373007 |pmid=28367003}}</ref> and associations between close relationships and health outcomes involving the [[Circulatory system|cardiovascular]], [[Immune system|immune]], and [[Endocrine system|endocrine]] systems have been consistently identified in the scientific literature.<ref name="Kiecolt-Glaser-2001">{{Cite journal |last1=Kiecolt-Glaser |first1=Janice K. |last2=Newton |first2=Tamara L. |date=2001 |title=Marriage and health: His and hers. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.127.4.472 |journal=Psychological Bulletin |volume=127 |issue=4 |pages=472–503 |doi=10.1037/0033-2909.127.4.472 |pmid=11439708 |issn=1939-1455|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Better relationship quality is associated lower risk of [[Mortality rate|mortality]]<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Robles |first1=Theodore F. |last2=Slatcher |first2=Richard B. |last3=Trombello |first3=Joseph M. |last4=McGinn |first4=Meghan M. |date=2014 |title=Marital quality and health: A meta-analytic review. |journal=Psychological Bulletin |language=en |volume=140 |issue=1 |pages=140–187 |doi=10.1037/a0031859 |issn=1939-1455 |pmc=3872512 |pmid=23527470}}</ref> and relationship quality impacts [[Inflammation|inflammatory]] responses such as [[cytokine]] expression and [[Cell signaling|intracellular signaling]].<ref>{{Citation |last1=GRAHAM |first1=JENNIFER E. |title=Close Relationships and Immunity |date=2007 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/b978-012088576-3/50043-5 |work=Psychoneuroimmunology |pages=781–798 |access-date=2023-11-23 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=978-0-12-088576-3 |last2=CHRISTIAN |first2=LISA M. |last3=KIECOLT-GLASER |first3=JANICE K.|doi=10.1016/b978-012088576-3/50043-5 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kiecolt-Glaser |first1=Janice K. |last2=Gouin |first2=Jean-Philippe |last3=Hantsoo |first3=Liisa |date=2010-09-01 |title=Close relationships, inflammation, and health |journal=Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews |series=Psychophysiological Biomarkers of Health |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=33–38 |doi=10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.09.003 |pmid=19751761 |pmc=2891342 |issn=0149-7634}}</ref> Furthermore, intimate partners are an important source of [[social support]] for encouraging healthy behaviors such as increasing physical activity<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Berli |first1=Corina |last2=Bolger |first2=Niall |last3=Shrout |first3=Patrick E. |last4=Stadler |first4=Gertraud |last5=Scholz |first5=Urte |date=2018 |title=Interpersonal Processes of Couples' Daily Support for Goal Pursuit: The Example of Physical Activity |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29121824/ |journal=Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin |volume=44 |issue=3 |pages=332–344 |doi=10.1177/0146167217739264 |issn=1552-7433 |pmid=29121824|s2cid=5399890 |hdl=2164/9760 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> and quitting smoking.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Britton |first1=Maggie |last2=Haddad |first2=Sana |last3=Derrick |first3=Jaye L. |date=2019 |title=Perceived Partner Responsiveness Predicts Smoking Cessation in Single-Smoker Couples |journal=Addictive Behaviors |volume=88 |pages=122–128 |doi=10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.08.026 |issn=0306-4603 |pmc=7027992 |pmid=30176500}}</ref> Sexual activity and other forms of physical intimacy also contribute positively to physical health,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jakubiak |first1=Brett K. |last2=Feeney |first2=Brooke C. |date=2017 |title=Affectionate Touch to Promote Relational, Psychological, and Physical Well-Being in Adulthood: A Theoretical Model and Review of the Research |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1088868316650307 |journal=Personality and Social Psychology Review |language=en |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=228–252 |doi=10.1177/1088868316650307 |pmid=27225036 |s2cid=40786746 |issn=1088-8683|url-access=subscription }}</ref> while conflict between intimate partners negatively impacts the immune and endocrine systems and can increase blood pressure.<ref name="Kiecolt-Glaser-2001" />

Laboratory experiments show evidence for the association between support from intimate partners and physical health. In a study assessing recovery from wounds and [[inflammation]], individuals in relationships high in conflict and hostility recovered from wounds more slowly than people in low-hostility relationships.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kiecolt-Glaser |first1=Janice K. |last2=Loving |first2=Timothy J. |last3=Stowell |first3=Jeffrey R. |last4=Malarkey |first4=William B. |last5=Lemeshow |first5=Stanley |last6=Dickinson |first6=Stephanie L. |last7=Glaser |first7=Ronald |date=2005 |title=Hostile marital interactions, proinflammatory cytokine production, and wound healing |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16330726/ |journal=Archives of General Psychiatry |volume=62 |issue=12 |pages=1377–1384 |doi=10.1001/archpsyc.62.12.1377 |issn=0003-990X |pmid=16330726}}</ref> The presence or imagined presence of an intimate partner can even impact perceived pain. In [[Functional magnetic resonance imaging|fMRI]] studies, participants who view an image of their intimate partner report less pain in response to a stimulus compared to participants who view the photo of a stranger.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Younger |first1=Jarred |last2=Aron |first2=Arthur |last3=Parke |first3=Sara |last4=Chatterjee |first4=Neil |last5=Mackey |first5=Sean |date=2010-10-13 |title=Viewing Pictures of a Romantic Partner Reduces Experimental Pain: Involvement of Neural Reward Systems |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=5 |issue=10 |pages=e13309 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0013309 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=2954158 |pmid=20967200 |bibcode=2010PLoSO...513309Y |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Master |first1=Sarah L. |last2=Eisenberger |first2=Naomi I. |last3=Taylor |first3=Shelley E. |last4=Naliboff |first4=Bruce D. |last5=Shirinyan |first5=David |last6=Lieberman |first6=Matthew D. |date=2009 |title=A Picture's Worth: Partner Photographs Reduce Experimentally Induced Pain |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02444.x |journal=Psychological Science |language=en |volume=20 |issue=11 |pages=1316–1318 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02444.x |pmid=19788531 |s2cid=14948326 |issn=0956-7976|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In another laboratory study, women who received a text message from their partner showed reduced cardiovascular response to the [[Trier social stress test|Trier Social Stress Test]], a stress-inducing paradigm.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hooker |first1=Emily D. |last2=Campos |first2=Belinda |last3=Pressman |first3=Sarah D. |date=2018-07-01 |title=It just takes a text: Partner text messages can reduce cardiovascular responses to stress in females |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563218300918 |journal=Computers in Human Behavior |volume=84 |pages=485–492 |doi=10.1016/j.chb.2018.02.033 |s2cid=13840189 |issn=0747-5632}}</ref>