ABSTRACT
When people are asked what makes their lives meaningful, most individuals spontaneously mention their close, intimate relationships with others (Klinger, 1977). Being involved in stable and satisfying relationships, in fact, is perceived by most people as a critical ingredient of happiness and well-being in life (Berscheid & Peplau, 1983). The chapters in this book elucidate the myriad ways in which close relationships function and operate across different interpersonal contexts (e.g., parent—child, parent-adolescent, siblings, friendships, romantic relationships) and in different interpersonal domains (e.g., attachment, intimacy, passion, sexuality, conflict). This introductory chapter provides a selective yet representative overview of the basic needs and motives that are served by relationships, the health-related benefits that relationships may confer, and the health-related costs that they can extract.
