A Meta-Analytical Review of Family Communication Patterns and their Associations with Information Processing, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Outcomes

Authors:

• Paul Schrodt (Texas Christian University)
• Paul Witt (Texas Christian University)
• Amber S. Messersmith (James Madison University)

Abstract:

This meta-analysis reviews the findings of 56 studies (N = 19,745) examining the associations among family communication patterns (i.e., conversation and conformity orientations) and information processing, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes. When both conversation and conformity orientations are considered collectively, the cumulative evidence indicates a small, but meaningful relationship between family communication patterns and overall outcomes (r = .285). Similar overall effect sizes were observed for conversation (r = .262) and conformity orientations (r = .253), though the average effect size for conversation orientation and psychosocial outcomes (.460) was greater in magnitude than those obtained for information processing (.238) or behavioral outcomes (.276). Slightly larger effect sizes were observed when researchers used the Revised Family Communication Patterns scale (r = .33) as compared with the Family Communication Patterns scale (r = .26), though this difference in magnitude was statistically non-significant. Collectively, the results suggest that family communication patterns have a meaningful association with a variety of cognitive activities and relational behaviors, as well as individual well-being.