BROTHERLY LOVE .1. THE EXPERIENCE OF CLOSENESS IN THE FRATERNAL DYAD

The present research explicates the experience of closeness in dyadic relationships between brothers. A total of 160 respondents comprising 80 intact brother dyads described situations or events in which they f elt particularly close to each other. Phenomenological analyses identi fied five themes characterizing the experience of closeness among brot hers: shared conversation, solidarity companionship, shared perception s and memories, and surviving shared adversity Some of these themes co nfirmed prior research on siblings or male-male relationships. whereas others have not emerged in previous studies. Results are discussed in relation to contemporary appeals for a more inclusive theoretical app roach to the study of close relationships.