Communicatively Constructing Godparenthood: Relational Maintenance and Relational Closeness

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although the godparent-godchild relationship is a centuries-old practice that creates a meaningful intergenerational bond, research on godparenthood is in its infancy. The current study examined godparent relational maintenance behaviors to provide an introductory glimpse into this relationship. Godchildren (N= 151) reported on their godparents’ relational maintenance behaviors. Assurances, social networks, and self-disclosure emerged as the most prominent relational maintenance behaviors associated with relational closeness. Differences did not emerge concerning biological sex or family relationship status (voluntary kin vs. biological/legal relative). We outline an agenda to encourage future godparenthood research, suggesting that scholars consider how relational maintenance behaviors might differ based on structural features of the relationships, cultural and religious identities, and discrete patterns of communication.