Self-disclosure and relational uncertainty as mediators of family communication patterns and relational outcomes in sibling relationships

ABSTRACT

This study tested the degree to which self-disclosure and relational uncertainty sequentially mediate the associations among family communication patterns (FCP) (i.e., conversation and conformity orientations) and relational outcomes (closeness and satisfaction) in the sibling relationship. Participants included 329 emerging adults who completed online questionnaires. Three distinct indirect effects emerged for conversation orientation on both relational outcomes through self-disclosure, relational uncertainty, and disclosure to uncertainty paths, respectively. Likewise, conformity orientation produced indirect effects on both outcomes through self-disclosure and disclosure to uncertainty, as well as a direct, negative effect on sibling satisfaction. Collectively, the results support FCP theory and extend an understanding of how family communication environments enhance (or inhibit) emerging adults’ sibling relationships.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-disclosure
• relational uncertainty
• conversation
• conformity
• sibling
• satisfaction
• closeness

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.