Family dynamics can motivate and prevent talking about health

Date:
December 9, 2021
Source:
Iowa State University
Summary:
New research explores how family dynamics factor into whether 18-
to 25- year-olds share private health information and involve their
parents when making medical decisions. Having open and respectful
conversations and reciprocal information sharing early on could
help improve an emerging adult's overall health.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
For many emerging adults, the period between 18 and 25 years of age
marks a stage of life to explore what matters to them and assume
new legal rights and responsibilities, including their own private
health information and medical decision-making. But this transition to independence can create sticky family dynamics, especially when emerging
adults remain on their parents' health insurance plans.


==========================================================================
A new study from Iowa State University finds open dialogue and reciprocal information sharing between parents and emerging adults reduces barriers
for talking about health, which can lead to better overall health outcomes
for an emerging adult.

"If you're an emerging adult who's worried about what a parent might
think, particularly if it's a health issue that's stigmatized or your
choices in handling the health issue do not align with your parent's
values, then chances are you're going to avoid seeking treatment or
look for an alternative route," said Katherine Rafferty, an associate
teaching professor of psychology and communication studies at Iowa State University, and co-author of the new publication published in Western
Journal of Communication.

In the U.S., turning 18 means an individual can make medical decisions
without parental consent. They also assume legal ownership over their
private health information. But with the Affordable Care Act, adult
children can stay on their parents' health insurance plans until their
26th birthday. So, while parents are not privy to their adult child's
medical records, they still receive bills.

"When mom and dad are paying for their adult child's health, any time
they go to a doctor or seek medical care, it lends itself to needing to
have a conversation," said Rafferty.

To understand how conversations about private health information were
unfolding between emerging adults and their parents, Rafferty, along
with Associate Professor of English Tina Coffelt and a research team
of undergraduate students, surveyed more than 300 college students; the majority were on their parents' health insurance plans and came from a traditional, nuclear family with a mother and father.



==========================================================================
The researchers' found three significant factors that affect whether
an emerging adult discloses health information to a parent: relational
quality, reciprocity, and conformity.

"Basically, how good of a relationship do I have with mom or dad? Did
my parents share their own health information or decision-making with
me when I was growing up? Did I grow up in a family that talked about
health issues? Were my parents open to differences or expected me to
conform to family norms?" Rafferty explained.

Relational Quality The researchers found that emerging adults who
perceive their parents as being open and respectful are more likely to
talk about health issues, but these conversations tend to happen much
more frequently with mothers compared to fathers.

"Given gender norms and the way men and women are socialized differently,
it kind of makes sense that in a traditional family, there might be
this desire or willingness to be open with mom more so than dad,"
said Rafferty.



========================================================================== Rafferty and the other researchers emphasized that mothers are typically
the ones who keep track of doctor's appointments and health information
in families. Sharing health information with mom as an emerging adult
may simply be a continuation of past behaviors and build on previously
shared knowledge about the emerging adult's health history.

Reciprocity The researchers found emerging adults were much more likely
to talk to their parents about their health if their parents modeled this behavior early in the relationship. Rafferty said reciprocal information sharing also helps emerging adults better manage their health, whether
they're updating their family health history at the doctor's office or
seeking additional care.

"We're learning more and more about certain types of cancers and mental
health issues that have genetic components. It's so important in those
cases, especially for emerging adults, to know what they are predisposed
to, that they're not alone, and that they have their parent's support,"
said Rafferty.

Conformity Orientation The researchers found stigma around certain
health topics (e.g., sexual behaviors) also had a big effect on health disclosures. Emerging adults who worried about feeling ashamed or wanted
to protect a relationship with their father were more likely to conceal
private health information from them, particularly if they came from
families with "high conformity orientations." However, this did not
influence talking with a mother about private health issues.

"With a high conformity orientation, there's a lot of pressure to abide
by family norms, usually from a father figure in a traditional family," Rafferty explained, giving the example of Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro's character) from the movie "Meet the Parents." "There's this expectation
about what one can and cannot talk about with family members." Rafferty pointed to the TV show "Modern Family" as an example of low conformity orientation. In this show, family members are accepted and embraced for
having different lifestyles.

The new findings highlight how family dynamics factor into whether
emerging adults share private health information and involve their parents
when making medical decisions. Open and respectful conversations and
reciprocal information sharing early on can improve an emerging adult's
overall health and reduce family conflict.

Rafferty, whose research area tends to focus on parents with medically
complex children, also recommended parents involve their children when
managing their health.

"If your child has diabetes, teach them how to administer their insulin
or figure out what foods to eat to combat low blood sugar, rather than
just waiting for mom or dad to say, 'OK, it's time to take your insulin,"
she explained.

Rafferty said including children in their own health management and
making medical decisions together can make the transition to emerging
adulthood a lot smoother. Emerging adults will feel more empowered and
know they have support when they're going through a health issue.

"If COVID has taught us anything, it is that health issues will
impact all of us at some point," Rafferty said. "We have all had
to pause and re-evaluate our physical health and well-being. How
parents' model this for their children will influence how they talk
about and approach health issues when they become emerging adults." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Iowa_State_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Katherine A. Rafferty, Tina A. Coffelt, Nicole Miller. Understanding
Criteria that Predict Private Health Information Disclosures between
Emerging Adults & Their Parents. Western Journal of Communication,
2021; 1 DOI: 10.1080/10570314.2021.1995622 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211209201704.htm

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