The Indirect Effect of Family Communication Patterns on Young Adults’ Health Self-disclosure: Understanding the Role of Descriptive and Injunctive Norms in a Test of the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction

Abstract

Family communication patterns (FCP) are relational schema theorized to influence behaviors indirectly via cognitive processes, including perceived norms. However, relatively little is known about the indirect effect of FCP on health self-disclosure via perceived norms. We examine FCP’s associations with young adults’ health self-disclosure to their parents, assessing the theory of normative social behavior and the integrative model of behavioral prediction. Young adults (N = 504) completed a cross-sectional survey. Mediation analysis showed the effect of conversation orientation on health self-disclosure via communication efficacy and descriptive norms. Injunctive norms moderated the indirect effect of descriptive norms on self-disclosure. Results suggest conversation, but not conformity orientation, influenced young adults’ self-disclosure, while norms and efficacy act as predominant drivers of disclosure behavior.