Questioning conceptualizations of openness in family sex communication: Exploring associations between family communication patterns and family sex communication quotient

ABSTRACT Family communication patterns theory (FCPT) and family sex communication research herald openness. However, scholars have begun to question whether openness operates differently when considering the difficult nature of sex talk in families. Therefore, regression analyses were conducted to better ascertain the role of openness amongst young adults’ reports of family communication patterns and reports of family sex talk from the Family Sex Communication Quotient (FSCQ). Analysis revealed conformity orientation to be a greater predictor of family sex talk via the FSCQ, negatively predicting young adults’ reports of the comfort and information dimensions, which conceptually measure openness. However, conversation orientation did not significantly predict either dimension associated with openness, instead negatively predicting the value dimension of the FSCQ, which measures the perceived importance of the family to discuss sex and related topics. No significant interaction effects of family communication patterns were found, yet gender did appear as a constraining factor on the meaning of openness measured. Results signify that openness is operationalized within family sex communication differentially from FCPT, particularly conversation orientation. Implications and directions for future research on family sex communication conclude the paper.