A03

• An increased understanding of the importance of self-disclosure in building and maintaining intimacy within relationships can have a real-life practical advantage, as suggested by Hass and Stafford (1998). These researchers found that for couples with high levels of intimacy and commitment within their relationships, 57% reported use of self-disclosure as a way to maintain it. Supports the predictions made by SPT, increasing the validity.
• A key methodological issue with the use of correlational studies, such as Sprecher and Hendrick (2004), is that causal conclusions cannot be made. For example, simply because there is a correlation between satisfaction and self-disclosure does not necessarily mean that the former causes the latter. They can never establish "cause and effect" and it can be effected by the "third variable problem". Correlational studies cannot ne relied upon to demonstrate the mechanism of self-disclosure in relation to the quality of relationships.
• However, there is research support for the predictions made by SPT, as suggested by Laurenceau et al (2005). These researchers found that, n the basis of daily diary entries, high levels of intimacy and trust were strongly associated or correlated with high levels of self-disclosure, in married couples. Suggests that the depth and breadth of self-disclosure is strongly predictive of the intimacy and quality of romantic relationships. Supports the validity of the SPT as an indicator of relationship quality.