Graduation Semester and Year
Fall 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Communications
Department
Communication
First Advisor
Grace Ellen Brannon, PhD.
Second Advisor
Andrew Clark, PhD.
Third Advisor
Karishma Chatterjee, PhD.
Abstract
Family communication through childhood is shown to affect young adults’ health decision-making over time. This study examined young adults’ (18-28 years) perceptions of family communication patterns and their effects on avoidance of healthcare encounters, communication self-efficacy, ratings of healthcare quality and trust with healthcare providers, through the lens of Family Communication Patterns Theory. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a large southern university (n=127). Results showed that young adults from families high in conversation orientation rating their healthcare encounters more positively. Implications are discussed with healthcare providers, educators, and family members in mind. Future research should examine these relationships qualitatively.
Keywords
family communication, healthcare, young adults, healthcare avoidance, self-efficacy
Disciplines
Health Communication | Interpersonal and Small Group Communication
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Esquivel, Victoria, "The effects of family communication patterns on young adults’ healthcare encounters" (2025). Communication Theses. 68.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/communication_theses/68