Using Equity Theory to Explore Adult Siblings’ Use of Relational Maintenance Behaviors and Relational Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to explore the role that equity plays in the adult sibling relationship in terms of the behaviors siblings use to maintain their relationships and their assessment of relational characteristics (i.e., commitment, trust, communication satisfaction, relational satisfaction, liking, and loving). Participants were 637 individuals who reported on a relationship with a sibling. Results indicated that (a) adult siblings in an equitable relationship use the openness relational maintenance strategy at a higher rate than adult siblings in an underbenefitted relationship, but not at a higher rate than adult siblings in an overbenefitted relationship; (b) adult siblings in an equitable relationship report higher levels of commitment, trust, communication satisfaction, relational satisfaction, liking, and loving than adult siblings in an underbenefitted relationship; and (c) adult siblings in an overbenefitted relationship report higher levels of trust, communication satisfaction, relatio...