22 Relational-Interdependent Self-Construal.pdf

205 Relational-Interdependent Self-Construal as a Predictor of Relationship Quality: The Mediating Roles of One’s Own Behaviors and Perceptions of the Fulfillment of Friendship Functions MARIAN M. MORRY MIE KITO University of Manitoba ABSTRACT. Relational-interdependent self-construal (RISC) is the tendency to think of oneself in terms of relationships with close others, and it influences relationship cognitions (e.g., closeness, commitment, perceived similarity). The authors expected individuals high in RISC to report more relationship supportive behaviors (RSB; e.g., higher levels of trust, more intimate disclosures), experience greater fulfillment of friendship functions (FrFu; e.g., help, emotional security, stimulating companionship), and report higher relationship quality than individuals low in RISC. The authors also hypothesized that RSB would mediate the RISC- friendship function and the RISC-relationship quality relations and that FrFu would mediate the relation between RSB and relationship quality. Structural equation modeling supported the authors’ hypotheses. These effects did not differ across friendship type (same or cross sex). The authors discuss the importance of self-construal for relationship research. Keywords: behaviors, cognitions, friendships, relationship quality, self-construal INDIVIDUALS ARE MOTIVATED TO ESTABLISH and maintain intimate attachments with others (Baumeister Leary, 1995). Why some attachments are more satisfying than others is an important question as satisfying relationships are significant sources of social support and well-being (Berscheid Reis, 1998). This research was funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Can- ada grant. The authors thank Pamela Falkenburg, Allison Gagne, Lorissa Martens, and Antonella Sciangula for their assistance with this research, parts of which were presented at the Canadian Psychology Associations 2005 Annual Convention. Address correspondence to Mari