Daughters' Perceptions of Communication with Their Fathers: The Role of Skill Similarity and Co-Orientation in Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

This study examines the communication skill similarity between fathers and daughters. Participants were 186 daughters who identified perceptions of both their own communication competence and their father's communication competence. Results indicated that perceived similarity was related to relational satisfaction and quantity of communication. Using the Family Communication Pattern (FCP) model, father-daughter relationship satisfaction and communication skill similarity varied depending on the family type (i.e., consensual, pluralistic, protective, laissez-faire).

Keywords:

• Conformity Orientation
• Conversation Orientation
• Family Communication Patterns
• Skill Similarity Model

Notes

To be certain that there were no meaningful differences in the samples drawn from the two different schools, a series of t tests were conducted that compared the samples (n = 140, n = 49) on the variables of interest. There were no significant differences between the two samples collected at different schools in Communication Skills Discrepancy, Conformity Orientation, Conversation Orientation, Relationship Satisfaction, or Frequency of Communication.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Katie Neary Dunleavy

Katie Neary Dunleavy is an Assistant Professor in the Communication Department at La Salle University.

Melissa Bekelja Wanzer

Melissa Bekelja Wanzer is a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Canisius College.

Elyse Krezmien

Elyse Krezmien is graduate students in the Department of Communication Studies at Canisius College.

Kim Ruppel

Kim Ruppel is graduate students in the Department of Communication Studies at Canisius College.