The Relationship Between Family Communication Patterns and Child Vaccination Intentions

Abstract

This study examined the role of family communication patterns in assessing the intentions of individuals to vaccinate their children. Using the theory of planned behavior, we constructed a path model whereby family communication patterns led to perceptions regarding vaccinations and finally to the intentions. The model showed excellent fit, with both communication and conformity orientations inversely related to vaccination beliefs. There were also significant inverse indirect effects between the two orientations and vaccination intentions. The family communication patterns interacted to predict both vaccination control and perceived norms outside the family. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• Family Communication Patterns
• Health Communication
• Theory of Planned Behavior
• Vaccinations

Notes

[1] All internal reliability estimates, means, standard deviations, and intercorrelations for study can be requested from the lead author.

[2] The initial model including all pathways also showed excellent model fit, χ² = 38.79, df = 14, p < .001, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .06. We removed pathways individually in order of greatest degree of nonsignificance until we ended with a final model with no nonsignificant pathways. Contact the authors for further information, as well as the figures for the two significant interaction terms.