Keywords

Father-Daughter; Family Communication Patterns; Conflict Resolution Styles; Emerging Adulthood; Interpersonal Communication Motives; Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

This paper investigated how father-daughter communication patterns, motives, and conflict styles related to daughters’ perceived satisfaction in their relationship during emerging adulthood. Undergraduate participants were involved in an online survey assessing family communication patterns theory, interpersonal communication motives, conflict resolution styles, and father-daughter satisfaction. Bivariate correlations and mean comparisons were primarily relied on for analysis, with a sample size of one hundred thirty-eight undergraduate participants. Results showed that a more open family communication pattern such as the conversation orientation, was positively associated with daughters’ perceived satisfaction of the relationship. A more obedient-focused environment such as the conformity orientation was negatively associated with satisfaction. Conflict styles also determined relationship quality, with constructive, positive problem-solving being positively correlated with satisfaction, whereas withdrawal and conflict engagement were negatively correlated with satisfaction. Daughters’ motives for communication demonstrated connection over control. Results reported higher affection motives over control motives in participants. Affection motives were aligned more with constructive conflict, while control motives showed little correlation to conflict styles. These findings emphasize the importance of open family communication and constructive conflict behaviors on the quality of father-daughter relationships.

Thesis Completion Year

2026

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Harry Weger

College

College of Sciences

Department

Communication

Thesis Discipline

Communication

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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