Sex Constellation and Sibling Relationship Maintenance

• In Event: High-Density: 2014 Interpersonal Potpourri

Abstract

The sibling relationship is unique among interpersonal ties, yet like all relationships, it must be maintained (Stafford & Canary, 1991). This study aimed to assess the association between sex, specifically sex constellations of the sibling dyad, and perceptions of maintenance strategy behavior. Data from 327 adult siblings from across the United States indicated many sex-specific findings. As predicted, both participant and sibling sex influenced participants’ self-reported maintenance behavior for all maintenance strategies (aside from networks), sibling sex influenced perceptions of sibling maintenance behavior, and sex constellations influenced both self-reported and perceptions of sibling maintenance behavior. In general, participants in sister-sister dyads reported using more and saw their sibling as using more maintenance strategies than those in mixed-sex and brother-brother dyads. Openness and networks displayed distinct patterns from the other three maintenance behaviors. The principle of femaleness is utilized to make sense of the majority of findings.

Authors

• Jenna McNallie, Purdue University

• Elizabeth Dorrance Hall, Purdue University