Family communication patterns, sex of subject, and communication competence

Abstract

Two hundred ninety‐nine subjects completed the Revised Family Communication Patterns instrument (Ritchie & Fitzpatrick, 1990) and the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ; Buhrmester, Furman, Wittenberg, & Reis, 1988). Results indicate that both family communication patterns and sex of subject influence the ability to enact certain communication skills in both same‐sex friendships and romantic partnerships. Those growing up in a strong conversation‐oriented family are more likely to report the ability to enact a greater number of interpersonal skills in both types of relationships. Women were more likely to report the ability to self‐disclose in a same‐sex friendship; however, a family communication environment that stresses a lower conversation orientation (consensual) diminishes the likelihood of acquiring that skill for women. Women were also more likely to report being able to offer emotional support in both same‐sex friendships and romantic partnerships. Men were more likely to report being able to assert themselves negatively in a same‐sex friendship, and to self‐disclose and manage conflict in a romantic partnership. Additionally, this study found that men and women employ different communication skills depending on the sex of their relational partner. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

Keywords:

• Family Communication
• Sex Differences
• Communication Competence
• Relational Competence

Notes

Joy Koesten (Ph.D., University of Kansas) is Assistant Professor at Washburn University. A previous version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Central States Communication Association, Interpersonal Division, Omaha, NE, April, 2003. The author would like to thank Mary Lee Hummert, Professor at the University of Kansas, for assisting in the development of this project and Dr. Frank Boster, Editor, for his generous and patient guidance toward the completion of the manuscript. Correspondence to: Washburn University, Department of Communication, 266 Morgan Hall, 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, KS 66621, USA. Email: [email protected].

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joy Koesten

Joy Koesten (Ph.D., University of Kansas) is Assistant Professor at Washburn University. A previous version of this paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Central States Communication Association, Interpersonal Division, Omaha, NE, April, 2003. The author would like to thank Mary Lee Hummert, Professor at the University of Kansas, for assisting in the development of this project and Dr. Frank Boster, Editor, for his generous and patient guidance toward the completion of the manuscript. Correspondence to: Washburn University, Department of Communication, 266 Morgan Hall, 1700 SW College Ave., Topeka, KS 66621, USA. Email: [email protected].