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A Sociotechnological Model for Family Research and Intervention: How Information and Communication Technologies Affect Family Life
Abstract
The social impact of rapidly evolving information and communication technologies has become the focus of research across many disciplines. Although family scientists recognize the importance of contributing to the discourse, few studies have applied a family theoretical perspective. This article introduces a sociotechnological family conceptual model that organizes existing research and suggests areas for future study and intervention. The model uses an ecological approach and bidirectional conceptualization that acknowledges both the effect of multifunctional technologies, such as cellular phones or personal computers, on and the influence of familial, extrafamilial, and individual characteristics on how those technologies are incorporated within the family context. The Perceived Impact of Home Computer Use on Family Relationships study is used to illustrate how the sociotechnological model advances understanding of the influence information and communication technology has on family life.
... The persuasive features, appealing design, accessibility, and expectation of always being connected, has profoundly shifted parent-child interactions. Excessive device use in the family home has fundamentally altered the quality and quantity of parent-child interactions, leading to increased family disconnection, and a generation of children competing for parental attention amidst the pervasive presence of technology (Elias et al., 2021;Knitter & Zemp, 2020;Lanigan, 2009;Piszczek, 2017;Swit et al., 2023;Tadpatrikar et al., 2021;Stockdale et al., 2018;Stockdale et al., 2020). This is concerning, as responsive, supportive parent-child interactions are the foundation for children's development, socialisation, and the formation of healthy relationships. ...
Parents today are spending an unprecedented amount of time on their devices, potentially disrupting family dynamics. Despite their central role in family life, children’s voices and perspectives on their parents’ device use have been largely neglected in research. This article explores the experiences and perceptions of 6–9-year-old children (n = 20) regarding their parents’ device use at home and its impact on them. Through a combination of workshops involving whole class activities, small group interviews, drawing, and role-play, the study captures children’s views on parental device use. The findings reveal that children are keenly aware of the patterns and purposes of their parents’ device use throughout the day, often observing the high level of absorption and preoccupation parents exhibit when on their devices. Children expressed feelings of neglect and frustration due to their parents’ divided attention. These results highlight the depth of perception and awareness young children have regarding their parents’ device use in the home. In the context of encouraging responsive parenting and positive parent-child interactions in a digitalised 21st century, it is crucial to recognise children as active observers and learners concerning devices and their role in contemporary family life.
This study investigated how information and communication technology (ICT) use predicts perceived social support and family communication satisfaction in long-distance intergenerational dyads consisting of younger (ages 18–26) and older adults (ages 60+). Drawing on Social Information Processing theory (SIP) and Intergenerational Solidarity Theory (IST), the study examined 1,336 individuals (668 dyads). Among younger adults, increased use of video calls and SMS texts were linked to augmented perceived emotional and informational support, while voicemail and SMS text use were associated with increased instrumental support. Among older adults, social media use increased emotional support, while mobile phone and telephone use was linked to augmented informational and instrumental support. Moreover, increased emotional, informational, and instrumental support mediated the link between ICT use and augmented family communication satisfaction for younger and older adults. However, only emotional support fully mediated the effect of ICT use on family communication satisfaction for both groups, implying that emotional support was linked to deeper depth and quality of interpersonal relationships. The results offer theoretical and practical insight into how digital communication fosters intergenerational cohesion in long-distance family relationships.
Amidst the escalating digital engagement observed among adolescents, it becomes imperative for parents to hone specific skills related to digital parenting. This study endeavors to delineate parental profiles by scrutinizing their interaction with technology, establishing a correlation between these profiles and their proficiency in overseeing and guiding their adolescent children's utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Employing LatentGold V.6.0 software, we conducted a latent class analysis involving 1200 parents with adolescent children aged 11–17 in Spain (x̄ = 46.61 years, range 28–69 years). The analysis unveiled three distinct profiles: ‘Instrumentals’ (39.61%), characterized by a utilitarian and necessity-driven use of ICT; ‘Digital Passives’ (31.88%), who scarcely engage with ICT; and ‘Digital Actives’ (28.51%), who are characterized by habitual engagement with ICT. Notably, they not only use technology for utility but also adeptly leverage its benefits, enjoying recreational digital pursuits. The latter profile, primarily composed of young parents, demonstrated that their tools and knowledge not only enrich their digital experience but also enhance their effectiveness in digital-age parenting. This underscores the importance of targeted interventions designed to help parents integrate into the ‘Digital Actives’ class. Such initiatives should promote engagement with ICT, fostering essential digital competencies and cultivating a positive appreciation for the benefits of technology, including the expansion of digital leisure activities for the entire family.
Due to constantly evolving technology, a new challenge has entered the relationship landscape: the inclusion of robots as emotional and intimate partners. This article raises the question of the degree to which companionship and intimacy may be fulfilled by robots. Three hundred and fourteen undergraduates, the majority of whom were first- or second-year college students, responded to an online survey on robot acceptance. Factor analysis identified two constructs, which the authors labeled as simulated companionship (e.g., robots as companions/helpful assistants) and simulated intimacy (e.g., robots as intimate partners–emotional and sexual). Data analysis revealed a difference between companionship and intimacy regarding student robot acceptance for home use. Overall, there was greater acceptance of robots as companions than as intimate partners. Group differences for simulated companionship were found for gender, sexual values, commitment to religion, and sexual orientation. While robots may enhance various elements of human life, the data revealed the limits of outsourcing emotional intimacy, companionship, and sex to machines.
Objective
Although still in its infancy, research shows promise that artificial intelligence (AI) models can be integrated into relationship interventions, and the potential benefits are substantial. This article articulates the challenges and opportunities for developing relationship interventions that integrate AI.
Background
After defining AI and differentiating machine learning from deep learning, we review the key concepts and strategies related to AI, specifically natural language processing, interpretability, and human‐in‐the‐loop strategies, as key approaches needed to develop AI models that can be integrated into interventions.
Method
We explore how AI is currently integrated into family life and explore the literature that has served as the foundation for further integrating AI into interventions. The use of AI in therapy contexts is examined, and we identify key ethical challenges that need to be addressed as this technology develops.
Results
We examine the key challenges and opportunities for using AI, specifically focusing on four key areas: diagnosis of relationship problems, providing autonomous treatment, predicting successful treatment outcomes (prognosis), and using biomarkers to monitor client reactions. Opportunities explored include the development of data‐efficient AI training methods, creating interpretable AI models focused on relationships, the integration of clinical expertise during model development, and combining biomarker data with other modalities.
Conclusion
Despite the obstacles, integrating AI into interventions has the potential to provide families with personalized support to strengthen bonds and overcome relational challenges.
Implications
This emerging intersection of AI and family science can pioneer innovative solutions for diverse relationship needs.
In this digital age, gadgets have become central to life, mediating interactions and relationships within a distinct context. This research attempts to understand the nature of reliance on gadgets and how it might be influencing family relationships, with excessive gadget use consequently impacting communication, emotional ties, and relational quality. In fact, gadget devices are somewhat of a double-edged sword: they generally assist in gathering information and entertainment while bringing about distractions that undermine face-to-face interactions which should have otherwise involved a family. Such inquiry looks at gadget use by family members, what sort of distractions emerge from devices, and what sort of influence such interactions pose on relationship dynamics. Further aspects include screen time, social media interactions, and digitally driven behaviors leading toward detachment. However, they can, when sensibly used, bring families together while encouraging new connections. By means of comprehensive review, the study aims to extract the different opportunities within gadgets usage in family settings. The results underline the need for setting boundaries, consistent phone use, and nurturing meaningful interactions in order to keep relationships strong. Lowering gadget dependency leads to conscious usage, self-regulation as well as striving together as a family to balance digital engagement with meaningful reconnections. The research hopes to contribute to the ongoing conversations on digital well-being and relationship set against an ever-changing environment.
Information and commun Virtual social networks have become the most similar to human society with the process of information explosion that they have undertaken and have become an important and influencing factor in couples' relationships. The aim of the present study was to identify the role of virtual social space in the relationships of couples referring to the family court, especially its effect on the functioning of the family and their mental health. The current research was among qualitative researches and three types of open, central and selective coding were used to analyze the data. The statistical population of the current study included couples referring to family courts, who were purposefully sampled and interviewed. The tool used in the present study was a structured and semi-structured interview. From the analysis of the conducted interviews, 207 open codes were obtained, among which 8 main themes were extracted to express the lived experiences of the interviewees, which included: "Internet addiction",
El uso de las TRIC (Tecnologías de la Relación, la Información y la Comunicación) es uno de los elementos que mayor conflictividad intergeneracional está produciendo en el seno familiar, erigiéndose en un enorme desafío para la convivencia. Analizamos por ello, a través de metodología cualitativa, las diferentes percepciones y usos que realiza la población adolescente andaluza en su socialización y prácticas digitales, frente a los hábitos e ideas que sostienen sus progenitores. A partir de la identificación de puntos comunes y lógicas diferenciales frente a las ventajas y oportunidades del ecosistema digital, así como de los diversos riesgos y retos, el objetivo del análisis es llegar a definir estrategias consensuadas para alcanzar una mediación digital segura y de calidad en los hogares.
As a nation, we are supersaturated with technology and our families are truly wired. This article reviews what we know about the extent to which the newest communication technologies have become part of the family landscape and how these technologies may be altering aspects of family life. It examines who studies the effects of technology on the family; what we know and what is missing; why there may be a paucity of research on technology effects, especially empirical research; and why it is urgent we increase our focus on technologies and families. The article is divided into four sections that discuss (a) tracking the data and reports, (b) family effects of new media technologies, (c) children and media technologies, and (d) what the future holds.
This study investigated how resistance to the reduction of computer anxiety among teacher education students can be explained and reliably predicted. Instrumentation for the study consisted of six self-report questionnaires: (1) the Computer Anxiety Scale, (2) the Computer Attitude Scale, (3) the Computer Experience Scale, (4) the Computer Knowledge Scale, (5) Rotter’s Internal-External Control Scale, and (6) the trait form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. A stepwise multiple regression using backward deletion was used to find the dimensions along which computer anxiety can be explained and best predicted. The results indicated that the best predictors of retained computer anxiety were computer confidence, trait anxiety, computer knowledge, and computer liking, together accounting for 69% of the variance of computer anxiety following completion of a computer literacy course. The findings suggest that any efforts to treat retained computer anxiety in teacher education students should focus on ...
The case is based on one of the largest and oldest financial services companies in India, referred to as Century Financial Services. It explores the evolution of the use of information technology (IT) over time, from the use of basic efficiency enhancing systems to the development of advanced B2B and B2C E-Commerce systems. At each stage of the evolution, it describes the external drivers in terms of environmental changes, industry developments, customer demands and competitive pressures. It also presents the organizational factors influencing the evolution, in terms of leadership attitudes, the role of IS professionals, and aspects of organization culture. The case aims to give a comprehensive explanation of how internal and external factors together combined to change the focus of the company towards IT and influenced the adoption of E-Business. The case data was collected between April and August of 2000. Sources of data included past organizational documents, interviews, industry sources and databases, and secondary business literature.
