The Influence of Family Communication Patterns on Religious Orientation Among College Students

Abstract

A web survey of 215 participants was conducted to determine if the Revised Family Communication Patterns (RFCP) scale predicted a variety of dependent variables related to religiosity, including extrinsic and intrinsic orientations toward religion, along with strength of religious faith. Both dimensions of the RFCP significantly predicted strength of religious faith, intrinsic orientation and extrinsic orientation beyond the amount of variance predicted by demographic variables and church attendance in the family of origin. Implications for family communication patterns for the socialization of religious values are considered.