TY - JOUR TI - Problematic integration and information management DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3CZ35NW PY - 2014 AB - Scholars describe the sibling relationship as one of the most important interpersonal relationships; it is a lifelong affiliation that spans other well documented relationships such as those of parents, friends, and married couples (Cicirelli, 1995). Most research on siblings, however, has focused on their interactions during childhood or adolescence. Less is known about the communication exchanges of siblings in middle to late adulthood. This study considered how individuals form the expectations, perceptions, and meanings of their sibling relationships as they negotiate a common task associated with later life stages. This research utilized Problematic Integration (PI) theory (Babrow, 1992, 2001) as a framework for assessing how adult siblings identify and evaluate the challenges of caring for an aging parent. Two studies were undertaken. Study One conducted interviews with adults currently negotiating elder care with their sibling. The goal of Study One was not to test PI theory but to explicate its concepts within the elder care context. Consistent with other health communication studies, uncertainty played a prominent role during the caregiving situation. The broader concept of ambiguity was revealed when participants were asked about the future of their sibling(s) relationships. Making the distinction between uncertainty and ambiguity is an important aspect of PI Theory and differentiates the results of Study One from the more common relational uncertainty research. Study Two built on data from Study One, investigating the expectations, perceptions, and meanings of the caregiving situation in association with the information management behaviors enacted by individuals attempting to integrate varied problematic integrations. A new scale was developed to operationalize PI, the Problematic Integration Measure (PIM). Results included: caregiving burden was positively related to PI, while relational quality was negatively related to PI; information sharing was inversely related to PI, but topic avoidance was positively related to PI; no significant relationship was reported between secret keeping and PI. Differences were shown among the various aspects and multiple forms of PI in association with the three information management behaviors. The creation of a PI measure (PIM) moves the theory forward and allows it to be compared with other communication and relationship constructs. KW - Communication, Information and Library Studies KW - Brothers and sisters KW - Older people--Care LA - eng ER -