The Mediating Role of Family and Cultural Food Beliefs on the Relationship between Family Communication Patterns and Diet and Health Issues across Racial/Ethnic Groups

Deep-Structure Attitudes and Reasons Toward Healthy Eating and Self-Rated Diet and Health in Ethnically Diverse U.S.-Hispanics/Latinos

Little is known about deep-structure (i.e., embedded) cultural attitudes toward healthy eating among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States. This study aimed to identify ethnic-specific dietary attitudes of Latino adults and evaluate their associations with self-rated diet and health. Participants (n = 200) were community-based Latinos (25-65 y/o) living in the Boston, Massachusetts metro area who completed a survey assessing agreement with 20 statements on attitudes toward healthy eating (eight positive and 12 negative) and 15 statements on reasons for healthy eating across seven constructs. Multinomial logistic regression models tested the association of sum scores of positive or negative attitudes and reasons for healthy eating with self-rated diet or self-rated health for participants of Caribbean versus Non-Caribbean backgrounds. Most participants of both backgrounds agreed that healthy eating would keep them healthy and make them look good, and that families should eat together. Differences by background were noted in statements regarding eating at special occasions, cost of healthy foods, self-efficacy (i.e., cravings), and cultural beliefs. Negative attitudes were associated with lower odds of better self-rated health for Caribbean, but not for non-Caribbean, participants. Positive attitudes were associated with 1.85 (95% CI [1.10, 3.12]) odds of better self-rated diet for Caribbean participants and 3.13 (95% CI [1.26, 7.81]) for non-Caribbean participants. Non-Caribbean participants were more likely to self-rate very good/excellent diet with higher reasons for healthy eating. Latinos have shared and ethnic-specific deep-structure attitudes toward healthy eating related to their perceived diet quality and health. Programs promoting healthy eating for Latino adults should be deeply tailored by ethnicity.

The role of family communication patterns in intergenerational COVID-19 discussions and preventive behaviors: a social cognitive approach

BACKGROUND

This study explores and compares the influences of family communication patterns (conversation orientation and conformity orientation) on family discussion and preventive behaviors for older parents and their adult children in the context of the early COVID-19 outbreak.

METHODS

A total of 248 participants, including 117 parents and 131 adult children, participated in an online survey in February 2020. Participants reported family communication patterns, family discussions related to COVID-19, and their preventive behaviors.

RESULTS

Conversation orientation was positively associated with information sharing and scientific discussion for older parents and adult children. Our results revealed the differential influences of conformity orientation on older parents and adult children. Conformity orientation was positively associated with scientific discussion for older parents but was not significantly associated with any form of family discussion reported by adult children. There was a significant interaction effect of conversation orientation and conformity orientation on disputed communication within the family, suggesting that conflicts may arise in COVID-related discussions when parents and adult children value conversation and conformity. Scientific discussion was found to mediate the relationships between family communication patterns and preventive behaviors. The effects of scientific discussions were stronger for older parents than for adult children.

CONCLUSIONS

Family communication patterns can be associated with preventive behaviors through different forms of family discussion about COVID-19. Conversation orientation is a strong facilitator for positive behavioral effects and scientific discussion is the most benign form of family health discussion. Health communication efforts should enhance the agency role of the family and motivate scientific discussion in health practices.

Managing Uncertainty for and With Family: Communication Strategies and Motivations in Familial Uncertainty Management for Hereditary Cancer

The management of uncertainty is integral to health and illness. Individuals manage uncertainty about their health through communication enmeshed in family systems, but existing theorizing focuses on individuals without accounting for family processes. An iterative qualitative analysis of 42 dyadic, family interviews (N = 84) revealed (a) moments in the context of hereditary cancer that involved individual-centered and familial uncertainty appraisal and management, (b) family members' communication strategies to prompt relatives to engage familial uncertainty, and (c) the communicative (re)creation and negotiation of family models for uncertainty management. The findings illuminate tensions that individuals encounter across their lifespan as they appraise and manage uncertainty about hereditary cancer risks. This study extends uncertainty management theory to encompass familial uncertainty management and contributes insights useful for the management of hereditary cancer.