Family Communication and Genetic Health: A Research Note

Abstract

A survey (N = 717) was conducted to explore African Americans (n = 267) and European Americans (n = 450) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors associated with human genetics and the interplay of family communication on such issues. Responses indicated significant race differences on familial discussions of medical history and familial encouragement to behave in healthy ways. However, there were no race differences on family conversations about genetic or prenatal testing. In addition, results revealed that media exposure was related to families' discussions about human genetics research. The communication privacy management theory (Petronio, 2002) may provide a conceptual framework with which to posit predictors of family communication about heredity and health. Implications of these findings for future family communication about genetics are offered.