The effect of family and peer communication on college students' communication with dating partners about HIV and AIDS

Heather L. Powell, Chris Segrin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

As family and peers are primary socializing agents in the lives of young adults, a social learning based model of communication about HIV/AIDS among dating partners was developed and tested, examining the role of interactions with family and peers in this type of communication. Specifically, the model describes relationships between general communication, communication about sexuality, and communication about HIV/AIDS with parents, peers, and dating partners. Participants were 153 young adult couples who completed measures of their communication practices, as well as their communication with family and peers. Communication practices in the family of origin appear to influence both general communication and communication about HIV/AIDS with dating partners. Communication practices with peers influenced general communication, communication about sexuality, and communication about HIV/AIDS with dating partners. Participants and their dating partners exhibited relative agreement about their general communication practices and their communication about HIV/AIDS, but showed less agreement in reports of their communication about sexuality. Implications for understanding the role of family and peer interactions in communication about HIV/AIDS with dating partners are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)427-449
Number of pages23
JournalHealth Communication
Volume16
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Communication

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