INTIMATE RELATIONS BETWEEN YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN: INDICATORS OF DISHARMONY

Abstract

The article presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the characteristics of sexual
behavior and indicators of disharmony of intimate relationships of young men and women of student
age. The purpose of the study is to identify the correlations of the manifestations of intimate
relationships and sexual behavior among young people. The content will consider various approaches
to the analysis of intimate and sexual relations from the standpoint of sexology and psychology. The
main problems and contradictions will be explained on the basis of which the strategy of empirical
research is based are substantiated. The respondents were 62 people (32 young women and 30 young
men aged 18 - 23 years) studying at different faculties of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
in bachelor's and master's degrees. To diagnose the parameters of disharmony of intimate
relationships, the author's modification of the methodology «Subjective assessment of interpersonal
relationships» by S.V. Dukhnovsky and the methodology «Experience of close relationships» by K.
Brennan and R.K. Fraley in the adaptation of T.V. Kazantseva were used, to assess the characteristics
of sexual behavior – «Eysenk inventory of attitudes to sex» by H.J. Eysenck and «Assessment of the
sexual profile» by O.F. Potemkina. In general, in sexual behavior, the subjects show favorable sexual
attitudes, note sexual satisfaction and fulfillment, as well as sexual neuroticism, indicating the
difficulties in young people in creating intimate relationships. As a result of the correlation analysis,
the study revealed indicators of sexual behavior characterizing disharmony in intimate relationships
of young men and women, which indicate insufficient psychological readiness for intimate
relationships of young people. The characteristics of disharmony in intimate relationships presented
in the study allowed the authors to formulate conclusions and recommendations to specialists in the
field of education on the organization of psychological and pedagogical technologies for the
formation of sexual culture among modern youth.