According to Erik Erikson, individuals in early adulthood often seek a life partner with whom they will share their most closely held secrets and hopes. Erikson called this the "intimacy vs. isolation" psychosocial stage of development.
During this stage, which typically occurs during early adulthood (around ages 18-40), individuals are focused on developing close, intimate relationships with others, including romantic partners. They are also working on forming their own sense of identity and a sense of belonging in the world.
This stage is considered a time of transition between the earlier stages of identity formation and the later stages of generativity and care for others. It is a crucial stage for the development of a stable and healthy sense of self and the ability to form close, intimate relationships with others.