Family communication patterns, mediated communication, and well-being

A communication interdependence perspective on parent-adult child relationships

Bibliographic Data

ID2938014
AuthorsEmily M Buehler (0000-0003-1274-8131, Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA, corresponding author), Jenny L Crowley (0000-0003-3908-6174, School of Communication Studies, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA), Ashley M Peterson (0000-0001-5557-6638, Pennsylvania State University College of the Liberal Arts, University Park, PA, USA), Jennifer A Jackl (0000-0003-2436-2826, University of Wisconsin–Superior)
Year2024
Volume41
Issue5
Pages1113-1135
Publication date2024-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075221145628
OpenAlexW4312060820
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited34

This study investigated how technology use, as understood through the communication interdependence perspective (CIP) and family communication patterns (FCPs), influence well-being in parent-adult child relationships. We proposed a model in which beliefs and attitudes about family communication shape adult children's interdependent use of multiple modes of communication with a parent, which in turn impact their loneliness, psychological well-being, relational satisfaction, and closeness with a parent. Results revealed conversation orientation largely promoted communication interdependence (i.e., increased integration of face-to-face and mediated communication and ease of transitioning between channels), whereas conformity orientation largely dampened communication interdependence (i.e., increased segmentation to mediated channels and difficulty transitioning between channels). In turn, more communication interdependence (i.e., less segmentation to mediated channels and more ease transitioning between channels) corresponded with more relational well-being while segmentation to face-to-face reduced loneliness. Several indirect effects suggest that the ways adult children use technology with a parent help explain how cognitive schemas fostered by FCPs affect well-being. Theoretical implications are discussed as they pertain to the CIP and family communication

Closeness · Conversation · Developmental psychology · Interdependence · Interpersonal communication · Loneliness · Perspective (graphical · Sociology · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Communication · Media Influence and Health · Psychology · Social Psychology