title: Boundaries as distance regulators in personal relationships.
abstract: Received wisdom suggests that boundaries are, or should be, important in intimate relationships. In this essay, we focus primarily upon the beliefs and phenomenology relating to a variety of boundaries, and provide a discussion of some conceptual issues, in order to understand better the development, facilitation, and maintenance of, as well as restraints upon, intimacy. Although we attend mainly to dyadic relationships, we believe that our observations and suggestions have application to larger groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Development and Family Relations, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-1117.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Ryder
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartle
mesh_terms: D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012649:Self Concept; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D013561:Symbolism