"Let's (Not) Talk About That": Bridging the Past Sexual Experiences Taboo to Build Healthy Romantic Relationships (Report)

Just as the decision to conceal or reveal information is an essential component of any relationship, the navigation of the dialectical tension between openness and closedness is fundamental to close relationships (Altman, Vinsel, & Brown, 1981; Baxter, 1990; Dindia, 1998; Pawlowski, 1998). Although self-disclosure is necessary for the development of relational intimacy, too much sharing can potentially hinder relational development (Dindia, 1994; Ijams & Miller, 2000; Rawlins, 1983).