The Mediating Effect of the Frequency of Everyday Talk on Adult Sibling Type and Communication Satisfaction

This study explored the mediating effect of the frequency of everyday talk on adult sibling type and communication satisfaction. Participants were 212 undergraduate students attending a large Mid-Atlantic University. A mediation analysis with a multicategorical antecedent variable revealed that, relative to loyal siblings, intimate and congenial siblings were higher in communication satisfaction through the frequency of everyday talk. Controlling for frequency of everyday talk, as compared to loyal siblings, intimate and congenial siblings were more communicatively satisfied whereas apathetic/hostile siblings were less communicatively satisfied. Because most participants consisted of White, unmarried, and childless college students in the emerging adulthood stage (i.e. 18–25 years) of sibling relationships, these findings should be interpreted within this developmental context.