Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2012, Communication Studies (Communication)

This dissertation examines the relationship between family communication patterns, family talk about sex and sexual behaviors: safe sex, high risk sex, and avoiding sex. This dissertation offers a structural equation model to explore the associations between the aforementioned constructs. Positive outcomes: avoiding sexual behavior (as mediated by conservative family values) and engaging safe sex behavior, are positively predicted by conformity orientation. Pluralistic families are most likely to have children who report engaging in high risk sex behavior, likewise protective families may also produce this relationship. Ongoing open discussions about sex and sexuality are recommended to mitigate negative (i.e. high risk sex) outcomes in the models.

Committee: Andrew M. Ledbetter PhD (Advisor); B. Scott Titsworth PhD (Advisor); Claudia Hale PhD (Committee Member); Greg Janson PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2010, Communication

This study sought to explore the relationships among the four types of family communication patterns (Protective, Consensual, Laissez-faire and Pluralistic) and two communication traits: communication apprehension (CA) and socio-communicative orientation (SCO). This study surveyed 136 Chinese college students studying in a Mid-West University in the United States, and 118 completed questionnaires for the data analysis. Findings showed that Chinese students from protective and laissez-faire families have a higher level of CA than those from pluralistic families. In terms of SCO, Chinese students from pluralistic families tend to be more assertive than those from laissez-faire families and students from pluralistic families tend to be more responsiveness than those from protective families. This study improves the understanding of the relationships between family communication patterns and communication traits, especially among this Chinese population.

Committee: Young Lin Dr. (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2011, Communication

The aim of this study was to test a model predicting parental mediation strategies from cultural dimensions and family communication patterns (FCP). Parents from India (n=57) and the United States (n=56) completed a survey for this study. It was proposed that cultural dimensions of individualism-collectivism, power distance and self-construal are related to family communication patterns. Also it was hypothesized that the effect of family communication patterns on various parental mediation strategies would be moderated by perceived risk of media exposure (PRME). The broad goal of the study was to establish FCPs as the mediators between cultural dimensions and parental mediation strategies. Results supported the association between cultural dimensions and family communication patterns. Also it was found that socio oriented parents with high PRME tend to use restrictive mediation. Concept orientation mediated the effect of individualism on active mediation and the effect of independent self-construal on active mediation.  

Committee: Amy Nathanson PhD (Advisor); David Ewoldsen PhD. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Educational Psychology

MA, Kent State University, 2008, College of Communication and Information / School of Communication Studies

Family communication structure (conformity verses conversation orientation) and the motives parents employ when communicating with their young adult children interact to produce several consequences. The specific repercussions that result from increased conformity and control need to be further identified and defined to offer pertinent information for the development of training workshops, intervention programs, and insight to parents wishing to change their behaviors. Thus, this study explored the effect of control motives and conformity orientation (two structures: protective and consensual) on confidence, independence, and perceived communication competence. The impact of children's evaluation of parental control (i.e., viewing parental control as a sign of love and affection) on the three outcome variables was also of interest. The results showed a significant positive correlation between conformity orientation and parental control (increased control was related to increased conformity orientation), a significant negative correlation between parental control and evaluations of control (subjects did not view parental control as a sign of love and affection), and significant negative correlations between control and all three outcome variables (confidence, independence, and perceived communication competence). Evaluations of parental control did not demonstrate predictability in changes in the outcome variables.

Committee: Mei-Chen Lin Dr. (Advisor); Janet Meyer Dr. (Committee Member); Jeffrey T. Child Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication