Journal article
Parental Uncertainty, Uncertainty Management, and Relational Satisfaction Surrounding the Transition to an Adult Child's Marriage
Communication studies
05/03/2026
DOI: 10.1080/10510974.2026.2658472
Abstract
Weaving together relational uncertainty and uncertainty management theorizing, two studies examined parental uncertainty, uncertainty management, and relational implications surrounding the transition to adult children's marriage. Study 1 identified three themes of parental uncertainty: dyadic, family, and individual, which were distinct from previously identified themes of uncertainty. Study 2 examined associations among Study 1-derived themes of uncertainty, satisfaction, and topic avoidance along with sex differences in parental uncertainty. Uncertainty was negatively associated with satisfaction and parents' use of topic avoidance moderated this association. Further, parents of sons experienced more uncertainty than parents of daughters, but no differences were reported in the use of topic avoidance between parents of sons versus daughters. Results complement and augment existing theories of uncertainty.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Parental Uncertainty, Uncertainty Management, and Relational Satisfaction Surrounding the Transition to an Adult Child's Marriage
- Creators
- Sylvia L. Mikucki-Enyart - University of IowaChristine E. Kunkle - West Virginia University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Communication studies
- DOI
- 10.1080/10510974.2026.2658472
- ISSN
- 1051-0974
- eISSN
- 1745-1035
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 25
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 05/03/2026
- Academic Unit
- Center for Social Science Innovation; Communication Studies
- Record Identifier
- 9985161343302771
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