Conformity builds walls, conversation breaks walls: Actor-partner interdependence analysis on communication patterns and perceived political similarity in Hong Kong young adults and their parents

Recent research found that the effect of conversation orientation on political similarity was mediated by a downward influence from the parents to the children. Nevertheless, whether a parent's perceived political similarity is influenced by their children’s communication orientation remains an open question. The present study adopted the actor-partner interdependence modelling (APIM) to examine the reciprocal effects between Chinese young adults and their parents in Hong Kong. One-hundred and ninety-three parent-child dyads (Parents’ Mage = 52.80; Children’s Mage = 21.96) completed online surveys that measured family communication styles and perceived political similarity. We found that conversation orientation increased one’s own and partner’s perceived political similarity, whereas conformity orientation decreased one’s own but not partner’s perceived similarity. Our findings highlight the importance of viewing political socialization from a communication perspective. Open and candid communication is essential to facilitate the communication of political differences in the era of political polarization.