Family communication patterns, sex of subject, and communication competence

Bibliographic Data

ID12011673
AuthorsJoy Koesten (corresponding author)
Year2004
Volume71
Issue2
Pages226-244
Publication date2004-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCommunication Monographs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0363-7751 • E-ISSN: 1479-5787
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0363775052000343417
OpenAlexW2120264227
LanguageEN
Citations received34
References cited37

Two hundred ninety‐nine subjects completed the Revised Family Communication Patterns instrument (Ritchie & Fitzpatrick, ) and the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ; Buhrmester, Furman, Wittenberg, & Reis, ). Results indicate that both family communication patterns and sex of subject influence the ability to enact certain communication skills in both same‐sex friendships and romantic partnerships. Those growing up in a strong conversation‐oriented family are more likely to report the ability to enact a greater number of interpersonal skills in both types of relationships. Women were more likely to report the ability to self‐disclose in a same‐sex friendship; however, a family communication environment that stresses a lower conversation orientation (consensual) diminishes the likelihood of acquiring that skill for women. Women were also more likely to report being able to offer emotional support in both same‐sex friendships and romantic partnerships. Men were more likely to report being able to assert themselves negatively in a same‐sex friendship, and to self‐disclose and manage conflict in a romantic partnership. Additionally, this study found that men and women employ different communication skills depending on the sex of their relational partner. Implications and future research directions are discussed

Competence (human resources · Conversation · Developmental psychology · Friendship · General partnership · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Romance · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Communication · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Psychology · Social Psychology

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