Agree or disagree?” A correlation between conformity-oriented family communication patterns and young adults' response to compliance-gaining messages in the United States of America

This study examined the relationship between conformity-oriented family communication patterns and young adults' responses to peer compliance-gaining messages. College students (N = 112) from a Midwestern university in the United States completed measures assessing their family communication patterns, reactions to compliance-gaining messages, and dimensions of dominance and resistance. Results indicated that young adults were generally less likely to comply with inappropriate compliance-gaining messages from peers, regardless of pre-existing relationships. However, participants from conformity-oriented families showed a significant positive correlation with compliance to inappropriate requests, while those from conversation-oriented families demonstrated greater resistance. These findings suggest that early family communication environments continue to influence young adults' interpersonal boundaries and response patterns to social influence attempts. The study contributes to understanding how family communication patterns shape long-term social interaction styles and susceptibility to peer influence. Key Words: Family Communication Patterns, Conformity Orientation, Compliance Gaining, Young Adults, Message Production. About the authors * Emmanuel Oluwagbotemi Odunfa is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States of America. His research interests are centered on health communication, media psychology, and social influence ** Marietta Ifeobidiaso Ude is a master’s graduate student in the Department of Communication at Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois, United States of America. Her research interest is in interpersonal and family communication. JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 17, No. 2, October 2025, pp. 125-133 © Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON). Article Citation Odunfa, E. O. & Ude, M. I. (2025). “Agree or disagree?” A correlation between conformity-oriented family communication patterns and young adults' response to compliance-gaining messages in the United States of America. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 17 (2): 125-133. Full Article Words: 4,877 Pages: 9 To access full article, click on download.