The Use of Relational Maintenance Behaviors and Relational Characteristics Among Sibling Types |
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| Authors: | Scott A Myers Kelly G Odenweller |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Communication Studies, West Virginia Universityscott.myers@mail.wvu.edu;3. Department of Communication Studies, West Virginia University |
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| Abstract: | The purpose of this investigation is to apply Gold's (1989 Gold, D. T. (1989). Sibling relationships in old age: A typology. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 28, 37–51.Crossref], PubMed], Web of Science ®] , Google Scholar]) typology of sibling relationships to the study of adult-sibling use of relational maintenance behaviors and perceptions of relational characteristics. Participants were 196 adults who targeted a sibling whose birthday was closest to their own and completed a series of instruments in reference to the targeted sibling. It was found that whether individuals classified their sibling relationships as intimate, congenial, loyal, or apathetic/hostile was reflected in their self-reported use of relational maintenance behaviors, their perceptions of their targeted siblings' use of relational maintenance behaviors with them, and their perceptions of the relational characteristics associated with the sibling relationship. |
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| Keywords: | Sibling Relationships Typology of Sibling Relationships Relational Maintenance Behaviors Relational Characteristics |
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