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The Development of Personal Relationships

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Abstract

This chapter focuses on the development of personal relationships in gay men. First, attachment theory—one of the most pre-eminent theories of interpersonal relationships—is outlined in relation to gay men. Second, parental reactions to ‘coming out’ and the impact of these reactions for identity processes are discussed. Third, the development of gay men’s friendships with other gay men, heterosexual women and heterosexual men is outlined. Fourth, the development and maintenance of romantic relationships are discussed with a focus on the factors that can affect relationship satisfaction in gay men. Finally, the social psychological aspects of non-monogamous relationships are discussed. It is argued that attachment style in adulthood constitutes a strategy for protecting identity and that this shapes the development of personal relationships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. De Montfort University, Leicester, UK

    Rusi Jaspal

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  1. Rusi Jaspal
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Correspondence to Rusi Jaspal .

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Jaspal, R. (2019). The Development of Personal Relationships. In: The Social Psychology of Gay Men. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27057-5_4

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