Peculiarities of Emotional Intimacy Among Romantic Partners in Forced Long-distance Relationships

After the start of a special military operation in Russia in 2022, there was a significant wave of emigration from Russia. In this sociopolitical context, the family unit is also experiencing a crisis and must adapt. As a result, a new type of family structure is emerging, wherein one partner relocates abroad while the other remains in Russia. This study focuses on the changing experience of emotional intimacy among romantic partners in long-distance relationships. It involved 7 couples who previously was in geographically close relationship for more than a year and were forced to find themselves in a long-distance relationship. Based on interviews with 5 of these couples, a thematic analysis was conducted using Brown and Clark's approach. Four main themes were identified: 1. The loss of the traditional way of life and the possibility of physical access to the partner. 2. Development of tools for experiencing closeness. 3. Discovery of new aspects of the relationship and the partner's and one's own characteristics. 4. Individual and shared finds. The study results indicate that in today's world, with the transition from geographically close relationships to long-distance partnerships, emotional intimacy experiences several transformations. With the loss of physical contact, it becomes possible to develop and establish other forms of intimacy. This study contributes to an understanding of the mechanisms for maintaining and enhancing emotional intimacy during periods of physical separation, highlighting the significance of adaptive strategies and developed tools.