An Advanced Framework for Verbal Communication and Nonverbal Gestures in Parent–child Interactions

Abstract

A key issue in interpersonal communication is the interrelation of verbal communication and nonverbal gestures (VCNGs). This study expands the theoretical framework for VCNGs by presenting an advanced framework for VCNGs in parent–child interactions. The study explored both parents and children and explains the effect of a wide range of social and situational contexts: child’s sex, parent’s sex, socioeconomic status, and task difficulty on VCNGs. Parent–child interactions (n=160) in structured joint game sequences were filmed in their homes and analyzed using a mixed multivariate design. Findings exposed unexpected VCNGs interrelations and reciprocal patterns for parents and children. Social and situational contexts effected VCNGs significantly. The study contributes composite theoretical accounts for VCNGs from receptive and expressive perspectives.