Communication Frequency and Stress Carry-Over Among Family Members: Implications for Physical Health and Emotional Well-Being

• In Event: Children & Family Health Communication

Abstract

Founded on principles illustrated by family systems theory (Cox & Paley, 1997) and emotional contagion theory (Hatfield, Cacioppo, & Rapson, 1992, 1994), the current study seeks to further understand the relationship between stress and health by exploring communication with another as a potential factor that may exacerbate this relationship. Specifically, this study explores how one’s own stress is related to one’s health outcomes and how a family member’s stress is related to one’s own health outcomes, as moderated by the frequency of communication with that family member. The effect of stress on health was tested using actor-partner interdependence models (APIM; Kashy & Kenny, 2000). Results illustrate crossover effects of stress and related health and overall well-being outcomes, including: energy, physical functioning, emotional well-being, social functioning, and loneliness, between college students and their family members. Implications for research concerning stress, health, and communication are discussed.

Authors

• Monica L. Gallegos, Northern Kentucky University

• Analisa Arroyo, University of Georgia

• Chris Segrin, U of Arizona