Family Communication Patterns and Communication (non)accommodation Among Chinese Christian Migrants in Interfaith Families

Guided by Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) and Family Communication Pattern Theory (FCPT), this study examined the intergroup nature of communication in non-Western interfaith families and investigated the connections between holistic family communication schemas and specific communication behaviors. Using survey data from Chinese Christian Migrants (CCMs; N = 127), findings reveal associations between parental (non)accommodation and CCMs’ shared family identity, group salience, and communication efficacy about religion. However, perceived religious group salience did not significantly relate to shared family identity. Moreover, conformity orientation predicted religious nonaccommodation and accommodation, whereas conversation orientation predicted religious accommodation. Religious (non)accommodation mediated the associations between family communication patterns (conversation and conformity orientations) and group and communicative outcomes. Findings suggest (non)accommodation is central to understanding dynamics in non-Western interfaith families, with specific (non)accommodation behaviors functioning as domain-specific manifestations of communication beliefs within relational schemas of parent-child interactions. Cultural nuances of (non)accommodation and family communication patterns are discussed.