Participants included 55 child molesters, 30 rapists, 32 nonviolent sex offenders, and 30 offenders who had committed nonviolent offenses that were not sexual in nature. The participants were interviewed; grounded theory analysis was used to develop a set of categories from the interview data. These categories were used to identify differences in the perceptions of adult romantic relationships between sex offenders and the comparison groups. Results revealed that relationship commitment, evaluation of the partner, self-disclosure, trust, expression of affection, sexual satisfaction, the giving and receiving of support, empathy, conflict resolution, autonomy, and sensitivity to rejection were all significant aspects of sex offenders' perceptions of their intimate relationships. Findings also suggested that sex offenders have a number of intimacy deficits that create difficulties in their romantic relationships. These deficits are largely shared by the violent offenders; therefore, they are not specific to sex offenders. These deficits represent a general vulnerability factor that leads to the development of a variety of offenses and life problems. 31 references (Author abstract modified)