Communication of Family Health History among College Students and Their Families

Abstract

It is essential that college students are knowledgeable about their family health history to make informed decisions about health behaviors and cancer screening. In the transitional phase from adolescence to adulthood, engaging in healthy behaviors and communication between family members can be challenging for college students. In this study, the Communication Privacy Management theory provided a framework to examine health and cancer communication among college students and their families. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among college students aged 18 years and over (n = 106). Results: Knowledge of participants’ family health history was significantly associated with family health and cancer communication, religious beliefs, and higher annual household income (> $75,000). Being young (< 22 years) and female was significantly associated with knowledge of family health history and family health and cancer communication. Conclusion: Demographic, socioeconomic, and sociocultural factors may influence college students’ level of knowledge about their family health history and communication within their family about general health and cancer risk.