Analyzing the Effects of Family Communication Patterns on the Decision to Disclose a Health Issue to a Parent: The Benefits of Conversation and Dangers of Conformity

Abstract

Family can be a key site of support for individuals who are diagnosed with a health issue, as long as the health condition is known within the family unit. This online experiment investigated variables that influence the likelihood that college students will disclose a hypothetical health issue to a parent. Family communication patterns (FCP) theory informed this analysis by outlining the role of FCP in disclosure dynamics among college students and their parents. Through structural equation modeling, a novel mediation model of FCP demonstrated that conformity indirectly reduced the likelihood to disclose through the constraint on conversation. The sensitivity of the hypothetical health condition did not moderate the relationship of conformity on likelihood to disclose through conversation. However, regardless of FCP, respondents were less likely to disclose sensitive health issues.