Poster Session 2: The Influence of Technology on Families

Presenters: Heather Hessel, Samantha LeBouef

Summary
Adolescents use technology to facilitate social interactions with others. However, there is evidence to suggest that they are using technology to avoid face-to-face encounters. Utilizing Uses and Gratifications Theory and Social Learning Theory, the aim of the current study was to test the relationship between adolescent and parental avoidance behaviors. Survey data was collected from 403 parent-adolescent dyads. Regression analyses showed that parental technology avoidance behaviors accounted for a significant amount of variance for their adolescent's avoidance behaviors. Findings suggest parents may influence and socialize their children in the use of technology for avoidance. Implications for family professionals are discussed.

Objectives
-- To explore how parents and adolescents are using technology to avoid face-to-face interactions.
-- To analyze the influence of parental avoidance behaviors using technology on their children's avoidance behaviors
-- To identify implications of avoidance patterns between parents and their adolescent children.

Subject Codes: technology, parent-child relationships
Population Codes: adolescence, U.S.
Method and Approach Codes: regression: linear (simple, multiple, hierarchical), quantitative methodology