The Mediating Role of Moral Identity in the Relationship Between Family Communication Patterns and Happiness

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of moral identity (with two dimensions of
internalization and symbolization) in the relationship between family communication patterns (with two patterns of conversation orientation and conformity orientation) and happiness. Participants were 308 undergraduate students (125 women and 183 men) of Shiraz University selected by random multistage cluster sampling method. For data gathering, revised version of Family Communication Pattern Questionnaire (Koerner & Fitzpatrick, 2002b), Moral Identity Scale (Aquino & Reed, 2002), and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (Argyle, 2001) were used. The findings showed that conformity orientation and conversation orientation were significant negative and positive predictors of happiness, respectively. The symbolization of moral identity could predict happiness positively and significantly. Between the two dimensions of moral identity, only moral symbolization played a mediating role between variables of family communication patterns and happiness. Conversation orientation was a positive significant predictor of happiness indirectly through symbolization of moral identity as a mediator variable. According to these results, it can be concluded that increasing conversation orientation of family leads to an increase in children's symbolization of moral identity and happiness.