Sentence:  He defines tie strength in a fairly intuitive way as the amount of time as well as the emotional intensity and intimacy (in a <WSD>confiding</WSD> sense, rather than a sexual one, although I don't think he rules out the latter) devoted to our relationships, as well as the mutual benefits characterizing our dealings with other people. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  In confidence; as if with trust.