Future directions in communication research: individual health behaviors and the influence of family communication.
Although numerous fields continue to advance research toward various areas of health prevention, communication researchers have yet to examine fully the link between communication and health improvement. This is particularly true of those studying the intersections of family and health communication--unfortunate, given that family members serve as primary socialization agents in health attitudes and behaviors. Using the example of obesity-related health behaviors, the following essay advances the argument that continued research aimed at understanding the intersection of health and families' communicative influence may help to illuminate the nature, causes, and redress to health issues that are correlated with individual health practices. This is accomplished by (a) reviewing contributions and limitations of pioneering studies in (family) health literature and (b) offering three key research areas for health communication exploration that will move scholars toward communication-based solutions (e.g., family-level communication health interventions).
a Market Strategies International.
Elizabeth A
EA
Baiocchi-Wagner
D003142:Communication; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005544:Forecasting; D015438:Health Behavior; D058015:Health Communication; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology; D012106:Research / Q000639:trends*