Perceptions of Communication With Gay and Lesbian Family Members: Predictors of Relational Satisfaction and Implications for Outgroup Attitudes

Authors

Jordan Soliz, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Elizabeth Ribarsky, University of Illinois at SpringfieldFollow
Meredith Marko Harrigan, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK-GeneseoFollow
Stacy Tye-Williams, Iowa State UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

2-2010

Citation

Soliz, J., Ribarsky, E., Harrigan, M. M., & Tye-Williams, S. (2010). Family communication with gay and lesbian family members: Implications for relational satisfaction and outgroup attitudes. Communication Quarterly, 58, 77-9

Comments

Communication Quarterly 58:1 (January–March 2010), pp. 77–95; doi: 10.1080/01463370903538622

Abstract

This study investigates perceptions of family communication among members with different sexual identities. Specifically, from the perspective of heterosexual family members (N = 129), the study takes an intergroup perspective to determine how accommodative and non-accommodative communication and attitudes toward homosexuality predict intergroup anxiety and relational satisfaction with gay or lesbian family members. Further, the manner in which family communication influences attitudes toward homosexuality is examined. Results are discussed in terms of implications for research on heterosexual-homosexual interaction, family communication, and intergroup communication, in general.