A Test of Relational Turbulence in Sibling Relationships: Relationship Characteristics, Emotions, Communication, and Relational Turbulence

This study applied a Relational Turbulence Theory lens (RTT) to understand experiences of turbulence within adult-sibling relationships. Four hundred and eighty-five individuals, recruited via online snowball sampling, completed a survey about their relationship with a sibling. The relationship parameters of relational uncertainty and interdependence processes were associated with increased negative emotion and decreased positive emotion toward siblings. In turn, emotions predicted sibling communication processes, specifically, topic avoidance, conflict frequency, and conflict negativity. Moreover, emotions generally mediated the associations of relational uncertainty and interference from siblings with sibling communication processes. Finally, topic avoidance, conflict frequency, and conflict negativity were all associated with increased relational turbulence between siblings. Implications for the application of RTT within sibling relationships are discussed.