The Relationship between Family Communication Patterns and High-Risk Behaviors in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Big Five Personality Traits

Abstract

The aim of the current research was to investigate the mediating role of the big five personality traits in the relationship between family communication patterns and high-risk behaviors in adolescents. The current investigation employed path analysis as its methodology. The statistical population encompasses all secondary school pupils in Bushehr city during the academic year of 2021-2022. As a sample from this population, 259 students (78 male and 181 female) were selected using the available sampling procedure. The instruments consist of Koerner and Fitzpatrick’s Family Communication Patterns Questionnaire-Revised Form (RFCP), and Iranian Teenagers’ Riskiness Questionnaire (IARS), and Barbanelli's Big Five Personality Factors Questionnaire (BFQ-C). The data analysis was conducted using the structural equation method and the SPSS-25 and AMOS-24 software. The findings of this study suggest a significant and negative relationship between the conversation factor and high-risk behaviors (r=-0.318, P<0.01) and a significant and positive relationship between the conformity factor and high-risk behaviors (r=0.228, P<0.01) in adolescents. The reduction of high-risk behaviors in adolescents can be achieved through the conversation factor in familial communication patterns, as well as the personality traits of extroversion and conscientiousness. During the development of educational and intervention programs for adolescents, therapists and school counselors should prioritize these variables.

Keywords

• adolescents
• big five personality traits
• family communication patterns
• high-risk behaviors