Accommodation predictors of grandparent–grandchild relational solidarity in Taiwan

Grounded in communication accommodation theory, this research examined Taiwanese grandchildren’s (N = 100) and grandparents’ (N = 108) perceptions of communication behavior in grandparent–grandchild (GP–GC) interactions. This study investigated noncommunicative and communicative predictors of communication satisfaction, liking, and emotional closeness in the relationship. Regression analyses showed that communication accommodation behaviors accounted for significant variance in GP–GC relational solidarity. For grandchildren and grandparents, the best single predictor was their perception of their own accommodative involvement with their grandparents/grandchildren. The findings also indicated that contact frequency significantly predicted GP–GC relational solidarity. Demographic variables were not particularly effective predictors. The findings are discussed in terms of cultural differences in GP–GC relationships and communication accommodation theory.