Interpersonal relationship

==== Life stages ====
Early adolescent relationships are characterized by companionship, reciprocity, and sexual experiences. As emerging adults mature, they begin to develop attachment and caring qualities in their relationships, including love, bonding, security, and support for partners. Earlier relationships also tend to be shorter and exhibit greater involvement with social networks.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal | vauthors = Meier A, Allen G | title = Romantic Relationships from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: Evidence from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health | journal = The Sociological Quarterly | volume = 50 | issue = 2 | pages = 308–335 | date = 2009 | pmid = 25332511 | pmc = 4201847 | doi = 10.1111/j.1533-8525.2009.01142.x }}</ref> Later relationships are often marked by shrinking social networks, as the couple dedicates more time to each other than to associates.<ref name="Merkle_2004">{{Cite journal|last1=Merkle|first1=Erich R.|last2=Richardson|first2=Rhonda A. | name-list-style = vanc |date= 2004 |title=Digital Dating and Virtual Relating: Conceptualizing Computer Mediated Romantic Relationships| jstor = 585815 |journal=Family Relations|volume=49|issue=2|pages=187–192|doi=10.1111/j.1741-3729.2000.00187.x }}</ref> Later relationships also tend to exhibit higher levels of commitment.<ref name=":1" />

Most psychologists and relationship counselors predict a decline of intimacy and passion over time, replaced by a greater emphasis on companionate love (differing from adolescent companionate love in the caring, committed, and partner-focused qualities). However, couple studies have found no decline in intimacy nor in the importance of sex, intimacy, and passionate love to those in longer or later-life relationships.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Montgomery|first1=Marilyn J.|last2=Sorell|first2=Gwendolyn T. | name-list-style = vanc |date=1997|title=Differences in Love Attitudes across Family Life Stages| jstor = 585607 | journal=Family Relations|volume=46|issue=1|pages=55–61|doi=10.2307/585607}}</ref> Older people tend to be more satisfied in their relationships, but face greater barriers to entering new relationships than do younger or middle-aged people.<ref name=":3">{{cite journal | vauthors = Sassler S | title = Partnering Across the Life Course: Sex, Relationships, and Mate Selection | journal = Journal of Marriage and the Family | volume = 72 | issue = 3 | pages = 557–575 | date = June 2010 | pmid = 22822268 | pmc = 3399251 | doi = 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00718.x }}</ref> Older women in particular face social, demographic, and personal barriers; men aged 65 and older are nearly twice as likely as women to be married, and widowers are nearly three times as likely to be dating 18 months following their partner's loss compared to widows.