Date of Award:

5-2021

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Human Development and Family Studies

Committee Chair(s)

Sarah Tulane

Committee

Sarah Tulane

Committee

Diana Meter

Committee

Megan Lachmar

Abstract

An overwhelming increase in technology and media use this past decade has been found to affect family relationships in various ways. Devices such as cell phones, tablets, and computers, have been found to both be the means of bringing family members closer together by communicating from a distance, while also disrupting and straining family connection, in particular the adolescent to parent relationship. Data from the Flourishing Families Project was used to analyze the varying perceptions of adolescent and parents regarding technology communication with one another and their personal perception of the emotional climate in the home. Results from this study showed no significant relationship between primary caregiver and adolescent child reports of the frequency of communication with each other through technology and their perception of their ability to express emotions in the home. Results also imply that high amounts or frequencies of adolescent and parent technology communication with one another does not predict a negative emotional climate in one’s home. Other contextual elements such as tone of voice, warmness of the parent-adolescent relationship, and other factors should be studied to understand the impact of different motives and types of communication in the home.

Checksum

d7a15e0455dd3ec412afd97b83ca79f8

Share

COinS