The influence of parent and peer modeling on the development of communication apprehension in elementary school children

Abstract
This study investigated the influence of parental and peer modeling on the development of elementary communication apprehension. In Phase 7 scales were developed to measure parental and peer modeling. In Phase 2 elementary and junior high school students (N = 1614) responded to measures of elementary communication apprehension, parental modeling, and peer modeling. Each participant took a packet home to their parents which included measures of communication apprehension and spousal communication apprehension. Results indicated a significant relationship between parental modeling and elementary communication apprehension but no significant relationship between elementary communication apprehension and parents’ communication apprehension or spousal communication apprehension.