An Examination of Relational Uncertainty, Romantic Intent, and Attraction on Communicative and Relational Outcomes in Cross-Sex Friendships

Abstract

This investigation explored the impact of relational uncertainty and its correlates (i.e., attraction and romantic intent) on cognitive, communicative, and behavioral outcomes in cross-sex friendships. Participants included 352 people who reported on a current cross-sex friendship. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that social attraction increased relational satisfaction while relational uncertainty decreased relational satisfaction. Further, social attraction decreased topic avoidance while romantic intent and relational uncertainty increased topic avoidance. Finally, social attraction increased the use of relationship talk, routine contact and activity, and emotional support maintenance behaviors, while relational uncertainty decreased the use of these maintenance behaviors. This study provides researchers with a starting point for understanding the consequences associated with interpersonal attraction, romantic intent, and relational uncertainty in cross-sex friendships.

Keywords:

• Cross-sex Friendships
• Interpersonal Attraction
• Romantic Intent
• Relational Uncertainty
• Topic Avoidance

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the editor, Dr. Theodore Avtgis, and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful feedback on an earlier version of this manuscript.

Notes

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Colleen C. Malachowski

Colleen C. Malachowski (MA, West Virginia University, 2009) is a PhD student in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.

Megan R. Dillow

Megan R. Dillow (PhD, The Pennsylvania State University, 2006) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University.