Cross-fertilization of the fields of positive psychology and social epidemiology is valued. Among "positive" psychosocial constructs, giving and receiving love has received preliminary scholarly attention requisite to furthering epidemiologic research. Mid-range theories of love have been proposed by psychologists; scales and indices have been developed and validated. Most of this work, though, has focused on romantic attachments, in keeping with the emphasis among researchers on the psychology of love. Broader multidimensional theories, such as the sophisticated taxonomy of sociologist Pitirim Sorokin, have been few. Sorokin conceived of love as comprising seven "aspects" (religious, ethical, ontological, physical, biological, psychological, social). Epidemiologic, clinical, basic-science, psychophysiological, and psychometric research are all viable approaches.

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