DISCLOSURE STYLES AND A HINT AT THEIR GENESIS

In this study we examine the possibility that persons vary in their styles of self-disclosure. A 3 (disclosure target: mother, father, best same-sex friend) × 2 (topic: schoolwork, social relations with others) × 5 (regulation of disclosure behavior: amount, valence, honesty-accuracy, control of depth of disclosure, intended disclosure) matrix was used to generate items with which subjects agreed or disagreed (e.g., re: mother and schoolwork, I am always honest in my self-disclosures). A Q-analysis revealed four types of disclosers, including a type that was low in honesty and amount of disclosure to parents (parent-cryptic disclosers) and a type that was comparatively open to parents but low in amount and high in control of depth of disclosures to best friend (parentally open friend-cryptic disclosers). Discriminant analyses revealed that “family communication” patterns and “communication apprehension” were important variables in distinguishing the types, and a canonical correlation analysis showed that these two variables were generally important in predicting disclosure behavior across the entire subject sample.     

DIFFUSION OF POWER-RELATED DATA IN COMMUNICATION: A RESEARCH NOTE

Statistical power is viewed as an innovation, and its development within the communication discipline is examined. The results of three statistical power analyses are reported, and a comparison of the resultant power estimates is conducted. Using the medium population effect as a baseline, the average statistical power exhibited in communication research has increased. Although it is too early to identify statistical power analysis as the primary antecedent, these surveys have certainly performed a knowledge function in the diffusion of power-related data.     

Partner support and marital satisfaction: Support amount,adequacy, provision,and solicitation

To compare the extent to which (a) amount versus adequacy of received support and (b) support provision versus solicitation behaviors predict marital satisfaction, married couples from the United States (N= 275) provided perceptions of received support and participated in 2 support transactions. Actor–partner interdependence modeling and structural equation modeling techniques were employed. Husbands’ perceptions of support adequacy predicted marital satisfaction more than their perceptions of support amount, whereas the results were generally the opposite for wives. Husbands’ provision and wives’ solicitation behaviors predicted marital satisfaction. Results suggest the need to move beyond simple counts of support received to examining support adequacy—and the various behaviors and roles involved in supportive transactions—to enhance theories of support and relationship functioning.     

Occupational stress management: A review and appraisal

Published and unpublished studies evaluating the merits of occupational stress management are reviewed. Worksite stress management studies are compared along dimensions of type of work group, programme orientation and format, stress management methods, non-specific effects, and long-term maintenance of skills and benefits. Although studies differ widely on these dimensions and too few studies have been conducted to state unequivocally general conclusions, worksite stress management programmes appear to offer promise for helping workers cope with stress and exert greater control over physiological and psychological systems which are reactive to stressors. Troublesome issues in this young research area are noted and future research needs are enumerated. Finally, the advantages and potential disadvantages of worksite stress management programmes are described.