Toward a Triangular Theory of the Communication and Relationships of In-Laws: Theoretical Proposal and Social Relations Analysis of Relational Satisfaction and Private Disclosure in In-Law Triads

Abstract

This paper proposes a Triangular Theory of the Communication and Relationships of In-laws, drawing upon theory related to triadic relationships and research on family interaction, communication, and in-law relationships. A Social Relations Model was used in an initial test of the theoretical propositions. Ninety-eight triads composed of a newlywed couple and a parent of one spouse participated in a study measuring each triad member's relational satisfaction with the other two members, as well as disclosure from the parent (and other family members) to the child-in-law. Results provided partial support for the theory. The unique dyadic relationship explained less variance in satisfaction for the in-law dyad than for the marital and familial dyads. Dyadic reciprocity of satisfaction was greater for the marital than the familial dyad. Finally, disclosure of family information to the child-in-law had complex relationships with satisfaction within the triad.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author thanks Elaine Gale, Rebecca Hosmer, and Chelsea A. H. Stow for their assistance with recruiting, data collection, and data entry. The author also thanks Fran Dickson, David Henningsen, Elizabeth Suter, and Roy Wood for their helpful comments on a previous version of this manuscript. This research was supported by funding from the University of Denver Professional Research Opportunities for Faculty Fund and the Alumni Fund of the Department of Human Communication Studies. A previous version of this paper was presented on the Top Four Papers panel of the Family Communication Division at the National Communication Association annual convention, Chicago, IL, November 2007.