Fear of Intimacy Scale, FIS

Test scores

Higher scores indicate a greater underlying fear of intimacy, characterized by anxiety and inhibition regarding emotional and physical closeness.

• Low score suggest comfort with emotional vulnerability, self-disclosure, and interpersonal closeness. The individual likely maintains intimate relationships with minimal anxiety related to engulfment or loss of independence.

• Average score indicate typical levels of apprehension regarding intimacy. The individual may experience occasional discomfort with deep self-disclosure or commitment but does not exhibit pathological avoidance.

• Elevated score indicate significant relationship anxiety. The individual likely struggles with sharing deep personal feelings, fears engulfment or dependency, and may engage in behaviors that sabotage or limit closeness. This is often associated with attachment insecurity and higher levels of loneliness.

• Very high score suggest a profound inhibition of intimacy. The individual is likely to experience intense anticipatory anxiety regarding close bonds, actively avoid emotional or physical vulnerability, and have a history of short-lived or superficial relationships. This level of anxiety may be a specific manifestation of social phobia within romantic contexts.

While the scale is unidimensional, elevated scores are driven by anxiety across several domains:

• Fear of Emotional Intimacy: Reluctance to share vulnerable experiences, thoughts, and deep feelings.

• Fear of Physical Intimacy: Apprehension related to sexual closeness and physical contact.

• Fear of Commitment: Anxiety surrounding long-term pledges or binding obligations.

• Fear of Loss of Independence: Worry about sacrificing autonomy or self-identity.

• Fear of Engulfment: Concern about being consumed or overwhelmed by the partner or relationship.