Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2010

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Communication Studies and Theatre

Abstract

This study examined naturally-occurring instances of supportive communication that occurred between parents and their children during a family gathering over the 2009 holiday season. Using an autoethnography the researcher observed and analyzed his own communication and that of his participants. Within the setting, the researcher used a participant-observer role. Fieldnotes from the study were gathered as written entries in a small leather journal or through the means of a discrete digital voice recorder. To help detail the numerous interactions the researcher documented, the Hymes ( 1974) SPEAKING pneumonic provided perspective. In an attempt to better understand the functions of supportive behavior these interactions were later analyzed through the Transactional Model of Causality (Granic, 2000; Valsiner, 1989). The findings from the study focused on the specific emergent themes of conflict, stress, worry, humor, and happiness. After reviewing several of these communicative experiences in greater detail the study was able to associate supportive behaviors that resulted in a more cohesive family relationship from those which did not. A discussion of limitations and suggestions for future research are also included.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Parent and child

Communication in families

Interpersonal relations

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

121

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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