Exploring Relational Cultures: Rituals, Privacy Disclosure, and Relational Satisfaction

Relational cultures involve unique relational activities and identities that manifest within symbolic practices (Bruess & Pearson, 1993 ). The association between rituals, privacy disclosure, and relational satisfaction were examined. Both time spent together and privacy disclosure affect romant...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communication studies 2014-07, Vol.65 (3), p.314-329
Main Authors: Farrell, Laura C., DiTunnariello, Nancy, Pearson, Judy C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Couples
Cultural identity
Culture
Disclosure
Interpersonal Rituals
Personal relationships
Privacy
Privacy Disclosure
Relational Culture
Relational Satisfaction
Rites & ceremonies
Rituals
Romantic Relationships
Social sciences
Time
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Summary:Relational cultures involve unique relational activities and identities that manifest within symbolic practices (Bruess & Pearson, 1993 ). The association between rituals, privacy disclosure, and relational satisfaction were examined. Both time spent together and privacy disclosure affect romantic couples' perceptions of closeness and relational intimacy (Emmers-Sommer, 2004 ) and certain rituals foster the ongoing nature of the relationship (Bruess & Pearson, 1997 ). In this study, individuals involved in romantic relationships (n = 359) participated in an online survey. Couple-time rituals and idiosyncratic rituals accounted for a significant portion of the variance in romantic partners' disclosure. Relational satisfaction varied as a function of couple-time rituals, idiosyncratic rituals, and internal privacy orientation. Findings of this study illuminate the role of time spent and secrets shared in romantic relationships.
ISSN:1051-0974
1745-1035
DOI:10.1080/10510974.2013.778892