Accommodation predictors of grandparent-grandchild relational solidarity in Taiwan

Grounded in communication accommodation theory, this research examined Taiwanese grandchildren's (N = 100) and grandparents' (N = 108) perceptions of communication behavior in grandparent-grandchild (GP-GC) interactions, This study investigated noncommunicative and communicative predictors of communication satisfaction, liking, and emotional closeness in the relationship. Regression analyses showed that communication accommodation behaviors accounted for significant variance in GP-GC relational solidarity. For grandchildren and grandparents, the best single predictor was their perception of their own accommodative involvement with their grandparents/grandchildren. The findings also indicated that contact frequency significantly predicted GP-GC relational solidarity. Demographic variables were not particularly effective predictors. The findings are discussed in terms of cultural differences in GP-GC relationships and communication accommodation theory.