Abstract
The purpose of the present research was to clarify the relatedness constructed in people's relations with significant others. In Study 1, in a semi-structured interview, 27 middle-aged adults (13 men, aged 48-64, average 57.5 years; 14 women, aged 49-63, average age 54.8 years) were asked whether and how they recognized the effect of their relations with their significant others on their personality and style throughout their lifespan. The results revealed 3 relatedness types: (1) reconstruction completed,(2) satisfied with present condition, and (3) denying or making little of their relations with others. Significant differences were found among these 3 types. In Study 2, results from a questionnaire administered to 56 men and 125 women (average age 53.7 years), confirmed the relation between relatedness and identity development.
