| Abstract | This study looked at the impact of communicative openness and structural openness on adoptive families' communication patterns (Koerner and Fitzpatrick, 2002b) and relational maintenance behaviors (Oswald, Clark, and Kelly, 2004). Both adopted and non-adopted participants (N = 151) were asked to complete an anonymous, confidential, online questionnaire consisting of demographic questions and measures. Specifically, this research examined the variation of family communication patterns (FCP) and relational maintenance behaviors across adoptive and non-adoptive families. Additionally, the other research questions analyzed the effect of communicative and structural openness on both FCP (i.e., conversation and conformity orientation) and relational maintenance behaviors. Results indicated that there is a difference in FCP and relational maintenance behaviors between adoptees and non-adoptees. Furthermore, in adoptive families, the adoptive mother predicts the FCP conversation orientation and the frequency of relational maintenance behaviors. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed. |
