Relational uncertainty and relationship satisfaction in a romantic relationship: self-disclosure as a moderator and a mediator

Abstract

This study first seeks to clarify the link between relational uncertainty and relationship satisfaction in romantic relationships (N = 353 dyads) using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. This study also investigates how self-disclosure could function as both a moderator and a mediator in the model. Self-report data revealed that participants’ relational uncertainty was negatively associated with their own relationship satisfaction. Whereas only women’s partner uncertainty was related to their male partner’s relationship satisfaction, all three sources of men’s relational uncertainty were related to their female partner’s relationship satisfaction. Furthermore, self-disclosure functioned in various ways as a moderator and a mediator in the models.