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Understanding Eating Behaviors through Parental Communication and the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction
Emily Scheinfeld1, Minsun Shim2
1The University of Texas at Tyler, Department of Communication, Tyler, TX;,
American Journal of Health Behavior
|April 6, 2017
Summary
Parental communication quality and content significantly influence emerging adults' healthy eating habits. This communication impacts eating behaviors through subjective norms and perceived behavioral control.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Developmental Psychology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Emerging adulthood (EA) is a critical developmental stage for establishing lifelong health behaviors.
- Health behaviors adopted during EA often persist into later life.
- Parental communication during childhood may influence EA health behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of childhood parental communication in predicting healthful eating behaviors during emerging adulthood.
- To apply the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction (IMBP) to understand this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 239 college students (ages 18-25) in the southern US.
- Assessed perceived parental communication, eating behaviors, attitudes, subjective norms, and behavioral control.
- Employed Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and mediation analyses.
Main Results:
- Perceived parent-child communication quality and content significantly predicted emerging adults' eating behaviors.
- This prediction was mediated by subjective norms and perceived behavioral control.
Conclusions:
- Parental communication is a significant factor in shaping emerging adults' healthy eating habits.
- Findings highlight the importance of parental communication in promoting long-term health behaviors during EA.