The Frequency and Comfort of Political Conversations with Parents as Mediators of Family Communication Patterns and Relational Quality in Parent–Child Relationships

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using Family Communication Patterns (FCP) theory, this study examined the frequency and comfort of young adults’ political conversations with their parents as mediators of family communication patterns and relational quality in parent–child relationships. Participants included 235 young adults from the United States who were predominantly White, college-educated, and conservative Republicans. After controlling for divorce status, political ideology, party affiliation, and political similarity with mother and father, the results indicated that conversation orientation positively predicts the comfort young adults have with discussing politics with both parents. Comfort discussing politics, in turn, mediated the positive association between conversation orientation and both indicators of relational quality. No evidence of mediation was observed for the frequency with which young adults talk politics with both parents, although frequency of political talk predicted closeness and satisfaction with father but only dissatisfaction with mother. Implications for FCP theory and political socialization are discussed.