Changes in family communication during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of family communication patterns and relational distance

ABSTRACT Communication between family members facilitated sensemaking and coping with uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic for many, however, accessing this form of coping can be challenging for marginalized family members who maintain relational distance with family. This study sought to understand how family communication changed during the COVID-19 pandemic for marginalized family members and how those changes were associated with family communication patterns. Conversation orientation was associated with increases in family communication quantity and quality. Perceptions of family member marginalization mediated the relationship between (a) conversation orientation and (b) conformity orientation and quality of family communication change.