Relations of Family-of-Origin Communication Patterns to Attachment and Satisfaction in Emerging Adults’ Romantic Relationships

Abstract

Extending previous research, we explored the relation of family-of-origin communication patterns to emerging adults’ romantic relationship satisfaction in a sample of college students (N = 312). We hypothesized a model where romantic attachment statistically mediates the relation of family communication with romantic relationship satisfaction. Open family communication was positively related to satisfaction through attachment anxiety and avoidance; conformity communication was negatively related to satisfaction through anxiety, but not avoidance. After controlling for attachment, conformity communication was positively directly related to relationship satisfaction. Findings provide important insight into the importance of family communication patterns in the development of relationships.

Keywords:

• Family communication
• parenting
• adult attachment
• relationship satisfaction
• romantic relationships
• families

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.