Interpersonal Communication Motives as a Predictor of Early and Middle Adulthood Siblings' Use of Relational Maintenance Behaviors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether early and middle adulthood siblings' use of relational maintenance behaviors (i.e., positivity, openness, assurances, networks, tasks) is predicted, after controlling for relational closeness, by their interpersonal communication motives (i.e., affection, inclusion, control, pleasure, relaxation, escape). Participants were 122 individuals who reported on their relationship with a sibling. Results indicated that for the positivity relational maintenance behavior, psychological closeness, the affection motive, and the control motive were significant contributors; for the openness, assurances, and tasks relational maintenance behaviors, psychological closeness and the affection motive were significant contributors; and for the networks relational maintenance behavior, psychological closeness was a significant contributor.

Keywords:

• Interpersonal Communication Motives
• Relational Maintenance Behaviors
• Sibling Communication

Notes

∗p < .05, †p < .001.

∗p < .05, †p < .01, ‡p < .001.

Prior to reporting each regression analysis, multicollinearity was assessed through an examination of the tolerance statistic and the variance inflation factor (VIF) statistic for each analysis. Mertler and Vannatta (2002) stated that tolerance statistics that are .10 or less (based on Norusis, 1998) and VIF statistics that are greater than 10 (based on Stevens, 2002) are indicators that multicollinearity is an issue. Among the independent variables (i.e., the six interpersonal communication motives, the three dimensions of relational closeness), the lowest tolerance statistic was .22 and the highest VIG statistic was 4.47. Based on these statistics, it was determined that multicollinearity was not an issue.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Scott A. Myers

Scott A. Myers (PhD, Kent State University, 1995) is an associate professor

Maria Brann

Maria Brann (PhD, University of Kentucky, 2003) is an assistant professor, both in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.

Christine E. Rittenour

Christine E. Rittenour (MA, West Virginia University, 2004) is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.