Measuring Relational Entropy: Relational Maintenance Behavior Mediates the Association between Religious Similarity and Entropy in Friendships

ABSTRACT

Entropy is the natural tendency of systems to move from a state of order to disorder, and previous theorizing has argued that close relationships are subject to entropy over time. Building from qualitative work exploring the conceptual domain, this study developed a quantitative survey measure of the perception of relational entropy. Factor analysis revealed two entropy dimensions, decay and destruction, and comparison with related measures revealed these constructs are empirically distinct. The study further validated the measures by examining their associations with friend religious similarity and relational maintenance behaviors. Positivity and supportiveness mediated the association between religious similarity and decay entropy, whereas openness and interaction mediated the association between religious similarity and destruction entropy.

KEYWORDS:

• Relational maintenance
• entropy
• friendship
• religious similarity

Disclosure statement

We have no known conflict of interest to disclose. Portions of this paper were included in the first author’s master’s thesis, completed under the direction of the second author.

Notes

1. Private religious practice items (measured on a 6-point frequency scale): Praying privately; Engaging in meditation; Watching or listening to religious TV or music; Reading religious literature (e.g., the Bible); Saying prayers or grace at mealtime; Attending religious services; Taking part in activities at a place of worship (other than religious services). Personal religious commitment items (measured on a 7-point Likert-type agreement scale): I try hard to live my life according to my religious beliefs; I do not let my religious beliefs affect my daily life (reverse-coded), My whole approach to life is based on my religious beliefs; My religious beliefs are very important to me; I am committed to my religious beliefs; I constantly think about my religious beliefs; I am certain that my religious beliefs are true.