Keli Ryan Steuber

The Revelation Risk Model (RRM): Factors that Predict the Revelation of Secrets and the Strategies Used to Reveal Them

The primary goal of this manuscript is to advance a new risk revelation model (RRM) that explains the factors that predict when people will reveal or continue to conceal secrets. We propose, among other things, that people assess the risks involved with the disclosure of secrets and that this risk assessment is what predicts peoples “readiness” or willingness to reveal them. People are more willing to reveal their secrets under certain conditions: (1) for catharsis, (2) if the target needs to know/has the right to know the information, and (3) if other people (including the target) are encouraging the person to reveal the secret. Finally, the RRM assumes that people are more willing to actually reveal their secret when they have communication efficacy or they believe they have the ability to talk about it. The second goal of this manuscript was to use the RRM to predict the types of strategies people use to reveal their secrets. As a part of this process, we also generated an exhaustive list (and corresponding scale) of the strategies people use to reveal their secrets, which was the final goal of the manuscript. The findings and implications of the RRM and the strategies for revealment are discussed.

Relational uncertainty, partner interference, and infertility: A qualitative study of discourse within online forums

Infertility afflicts one in six couples and confronts partners with life decisions that have long-term implications for their partnerships. The authors analyzed discourse from online discussion board strings and blogs (N = 438) to consider how this reproductive disability is both affected by and transforms the marital relationship. Specifically, a relational turbulence model lens was used to gain insight into the salient relational issues of couples coping with infertility. A qualitative theme analysis revealed two relational uncertainty themes (relational invalidation and implications of blame), two partner interference themes (supremacy of the pregnancy goal and violated expectations for treatment involvement), and two identity themes (strengthened relational identity and personal identity shifts).

Factors that Predict Married Partners' Disclosures about Infertility to Social Network Members

This study draws upon the revelation risk model and the disclosure decision-making model to deduce hypotheses linking perceived stigma, communication efficacy, and relational closeness to married partners’ tendencies to disclose information about their infertility experiences to members of the couples social network. Data from 50 couples reporting on disclosures to a total of 250 social network members were analyzed using multilevel modeling. Results indicated that aspects of stigma, communication efficacy, and closeness impact infertility-related disclosures. The discussion highlights how the application of these theories sheds light on the multiple factors that influence the extent to which husbands and wives engage their social network when coping with infertility.

An Examination of Support (In)Adequacy: Types, Sources, and Consequences of Social Support among Infertile Women

This study investigated gaps between the supportive communication people desire and receive in the context of infertility. Our findings advance the notion of support adequacy by positioning social support as a dynamic resource that is contributed to from a variety of sources in numerous ways. A community sample of 301 infertile women indicated that they experience discrepancies in the support they desire compared to what they receive from their spouses, friends and family, medical professionals, and online sources. Participants experienced the most discrepancies from medical professionals, and in almost all of these discrepancies people desired more support than they received. The magnitude of the gap between peoples desires and what they receive corresponds with evaluations of support quality.

Relational uncertainty, partner interference, and privacy boundary turbulence Explaining spousal discrepancies in infertility disclosures

This study explored what relational aspects contribute to spouses managing private, infertility-related information differently. We examined associations among relational uncertainty and partner interference and three manifestations of boundary turbulence: discrepancies in disclosures, relative discomfort, and perceived spousal acceptability. Using data from 50 infertile couples reporting on 250 social network relationships, we used multi-level modeling to test our predictions that relational uncertainty and partner interference would positively correlate with boundary turbulence. Results were partially consistent with the predictions for relational uncertainty and inconsistent with regard to partner interference. These findings suggest that relational features of a partnership coincide with a couple’s ability to coordinate boundaries about their private information and merits further research on the dyadic component of boundary coordination.

Emotions, communicative responses, and relational consequences of boundary turbulence

Guided by communication privacy management theory and appraisal theories of emotion this study examined how emotions (hurt, anger, and fear) and communicative responses (approach and withdrawal strategies) to boundary turbulence correspond with relational outcomes. A community sample of individuals (N = 273) reported on instances when another person mishandled their private information. Results showed that hurt, anger, fear, distancing, and a combination of anger and distributive responses all corresponded with relational damage, whereas integrative responses and anger were associated with relational improvement. Taken together, our study provides evidence that boundary turbulence does not have to be a negative experience and can actually result in improved relational functioning.

Of Money and Love: Joint Banking, Relationship Quality, and Cohabitation

This research examines whether being engaged and having a joint banking account influence relationship quality among cohabitors. Drawing on interviews with 936 young cohabitors from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we estimated ordinary least squares regression of relationship quality on joint banking and engagement. The main effects of joint banking and engagement on relationship quality were both significant and positive, but their interaction was negative. These results indicated that nonengaged cohabitors with joint banking have levels of relationship quality similar to engaged cohabitors, but are advantaged relative to those who are neither engaged nor share a joint bank account. The results suggest the need for increased attention to joint-banking arrangements in cohabitation.

The Content of Relational Uncertainty in Non-Engaged Cohabiting Relationships

Cohabitation, or living together without marrying, is a common and potentially problematic part of contemporary dating relationships. Cohabiting partners rarely share the same vision for the future of their relationship, often resulting in an unclear state of commitment. This study used a relational uncertainty lens to examine the nuances of uncertainties in cohabiting partnerships. We conducted a content analysis of open-ended responses from over 103 couples (N = 206). Results suggest that cohabiting partners cope with relational uncertainties that are specific to both marital and dating relationships, as well as several relational uncertainties that are unique to cohabitation. Findings also showed that the majority of partners do not identify similar topics of relational uncertainty. In light of these results, it is recommended that cohabiting couples make a concerted effort to discuss their uncertainties with their partner early and objectively, as well as to consider how their strains in social networks might add to individual and relational stress.