CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
Effects of Social Media Use on Family Relationships
A graduate project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
For the degree of Master of Social Work
By
Joneé B. Watt
May 2016
The graduate project of Joneé Watt is approved:
_________________________________________
Dr. Amy Levin
______________
Date
_________________________________________
Dr. Jodi Brown
______________
Date
_________________________________________
Dr. Susan M. Love, Chair
______________
Date
California State University, Northridge
ii
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all of the people who made this thesis possible, starting with
my professors in the Social Work Department at California State University, Northridge.
Their sage advice has put me back on track when I veered precipitously away from my
early goals and her encouragement have made the difference in this long and arduous
process.
My family and friends have provided me with a much-needed cheering section
and with necessary periodic distractions during which to regroup and come back to my
studies refreshed and ready to confront it all over again. They too have helped put me
back on track when I felt as though obtaining this goal was impossible. They all have
played a pivotal role in my accomplishing this goal in my life.
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Dedication
I would like to dedicate this thesis to my daughter Janyah. It is because of her
unconditional love, bright and vibrant personality that I was able to persevere through all
my trial and tribulation to reach this milestone.
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Table of Contents
Signature Page
ii
Acknowledge
iii
Dedication
iv
Abstract
v
Introduction
1
Methods
6
Results
8
Discussion
10
References
11
Appendix A, Table 1: Demographics
12
Appendix B, Figure 1: Scatterplot Age and Social Media Influence
13
Appendix C, Figure 2: Scatterplot Age and Social Media Distraction
14
Appendix D, Figure 3: Scatterplot Age and Time Spent by Family Members
15
Appendix E, Figure 4: Scatterplot Age and Effecting communication
16
v
Abstract
Effects of Social Media Use on Family Relationships
By
Joneé B. Watt
Master of Social Work
Purpose: This study explored relationships of social media on communication within the
family. Method: In a correlational design, the researcher in a snowball sample surveyed
158 adults who use social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter on their
perceptions of daily communication in the family and social media use. Results: age was
significantly related to perceptions of social media on family communication In a
Pearson’s correlation, age was negatively correlated with the statement “overall, I feel
that social media/networking has negative effect on relationships with members of your
household” (N = 158, r = -.227, p = .004); age was negatively correlated with “you are
distracted by social media sites when interacting with household members” (N = 158, r =
-.162, p = .042); age was negatively correlated with “the amount of time other family
member’s at home spend on social media sites bothers me” (N = 158, r = -.171, p =
.032); and “overall, I feel that social media/networking has a negative effect on
relationships with members of your household” was positively correlated with “social
networking effects the communication between members of my family” (N = 158, r =
.354, p = .000).
No significant relationships were found between gender, ethnicity, educational
attainment or employment status and social media use in family relationships or between
age and “social media is more rewarding than talking directly with family members”,
vi
“members of my family experience other members as rude or avoiding contact
when they are focused on social media and not live conversations” or “how often do you
use social media in front of family?”. Discussion: The findings of this study suggest that
younger adults, compared to older adults, perceive social media as having mostly a
positive, yet nuanced, effect on their family and family interaction.
vii
Introduction
Social media plays an influential role in society these days and understanding the
psychosocial mechanisms through which symbolic communication influences human
thought, affect and action is of great significance. Human behavior is often explained in
terms of unidirectional causation in which behavior is shaped and controlled either by
environmental influences or by internal dispositions (Jennings and Zillman, 2002).
Although social media is largely seen as a positive development, it also appears to be
causing relationship problems largely around communication, privacy and time demands.
According to Galasso-Bonnano (2015), social support can be a strong predictor of
positive mental health. Emotional support has been shown to protect us from a wide array
of both psychiatric and physical ailments. However, unlike online friendships, real-life
relationships take time and effort. They help us learn about others and ultimately
ourselves.
Based on the above discussion, it was possible to identify a two-fold problem that
served as a starting point for the present investigation. As it has been noted above, one
problem area is a possible trend of developing online network connections between
families and friends instead of nurturing face-to-face connections. While some
individuals thrive on face-to-face interactions, others use the convenience of social media
to conduct most of their communication. The second problem area involves better
understanding, how social media impacts relationships within families.
In essence, communication styles vary considerably among older adults and
younger adults, as does personal propensity to undertake efforts of effective
communication. It is these differences that lie at the heart of the problem areas for this
1
study. If a relationship is established between social media and social contact between
families and friends, then it is possible to look a strategy for promoting healthier
communication and interactions. Communication is a very important factor in fostering
healthy relationships. The findings from this research will help create awareness about
the effects of social media and how to help maintain healthy boundaries between its use
and relationships.
Online Communication and Face-to-Face Interactions
Communication is a very important aspect of all relationships. Social media use
and its effects on family relationships is an issue that is relevant to persons of all ages.
Communication satisfaction in any form (i.e. online or face-to-face) is important because
it determines the strength and health of a relationship. Online communication serves as a
base for relationships of any kind to grow and be maintained. Online relationships are
less valuable than offline ones. However, their net benefit depends on whether they
supplement or substitute for offline social relationships.
Social media by definition is websites and applications that enable users to create
and share content or to participate in social networking (Google, 2015). Social
networking is the use of websites that provide a virtual community for people to share
their daily activities with families and friends or to share their interest in a particular topic
or to increase their circle of acquaintances. Examples of common social media sites
include: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest Twitter and Tumblr. There are many other sites
that all serve a specific purpose in social interaction and new sites are continually
developed to increase two-way participant communication and interaction.
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While social media contributes to many positive ways of communicating and
keeping in contact with family and friends, it limits face-to face social interactions. With
that said, our interactions on social media tend to be weak ties—that is, we don’t feel as
personally connected to the people at the other end of our communication as we do when
we’re face-to-face (Keller, 2013).
Social Media Impact on Relationships
In previous studies, social media has been measured by its frequency of use.
Frequency describes how long the user has been engaged in a social media platform
and/or how frequently they use social media in a given day or week. Another way to
measure social media use is the amount of updates on one’s social media site and the
amount of interactions between an individual and their social media contacts. Frequency
is an important variable to understand in terms of social media use because it can play a
role in an individual’s interpersonal relationships.
Sheldon (2008) employed the Uses and Gratifications Theory in her study to
analyze students’ social media use (Sheldon, 2008). Sheldon desired to understand the
reasons why students used Facebook, and what gratifications they received as a result. A
result from Sheldon’s study indicated that relationship maintenance, passing time,
entertainment, and coolness motives were significant predictors for how often students
accessed their Facebook account and what they expected to get out of their time spent
online (2008). Social media use is the variable tested in this study to determine the role it
plays in healthy family relationships.
Social media use and its effects on family relationships is an issue that is relevant
to persons of all ages. In a recent study on using social media for communicating health
3
and lifestyle information, previous research shows that the social connections are
important because they help preserve and support communication within pre-existing
social relations (Boyd and Ellison, 2007). Marterns (2015), addresses that in sports,
coaches, as well as other arenas of celebrity, use social media to keep in touch with fans,
to strengthen their fan loyalty, keep themselves informed about the public’s perception of
them and monitor what their athletes are communicating through social media (Marterns,
2015).
Jose van Dijck, (2013), states these platforms influence human interactions on an
individual and community level, as well as on a larger societal level, while the worlds of
online and offline are increasingly interpenetrating. As noted by van Dijck, (2013),
things such as: talking with friends, exchanging gossip, showing holiday pictures,
checking on a friends well-being or watching a neighbor’s home video were once casual
acts shared only with selected individuals. Now, with the major change, known as social
media, these casual acts are now released into public domain far-reaching with long
lasting effects. “Social media platforms have unquestionably altered the nature of private
and public communication (van Dijck, 2013).” In the U. S, researchers report that 72% of
online American adults use Facebook, 28% use Instagram and 23% use Twitter (Duggan,
2015). In addition, more than half of those users visit those sites daily or at least several
times a day.
Studies have shown that social media causes people to spend less time interacting
face-to-face. The Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School study found
that the percentage of people reporting less face-to-face time with family in their homes
rose from 8% in 2000 to 34% in 2011(ProCon, 2015). 32% reported using social media
4
or texting during meals (47% of 18-34 year olds) instead of talking with family and
friends; 10% of people younger than 25 years old respond to social media and text
messages during sex (ProCon, 2015).
Summary
Based on a review of literature as noted earlier, one major research question
guided the analysis of data. What is the impact of social media usage on family
relationships and communication? This study explored the impact of social media on
communication between family members. Specifically, the study focused on two
primary objectives: to explore the relationship between social media and social contact
between families and to determine the extent in which social media fosters healthy
communication. Since most of our behavior is shaped by environmental influences,
spending time networking online instead of face-to-face, limits a persons ability to be
socially interactive in person.
This study aimed to discover whether social media is beneficial or detrimental to
family relationships and communication. Understanding the relationship between social
media use and social contact between families is more important now than ever because
our world has become enveloped in social media platforms. Social media use is related to
poor face-to-face social contact between families. This means that those persons who
report they communicate less with families in person, but spend more time on social
media have poorer face-to face communications with family, while those who report they
communicate more with family face-to-face, and less on social media have healthier
communication. Therefore this study electronically surveyed 158 adults who used social
media platforms to ask the question of how social media effects family relationships.
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Method
Participant characteristics
One hundred and fifty eight adults, in which 112 (70.9%) were females, who used
Facebook, Instagram or Twitter social media platforms volunteered to be participants of
this study. Participants mostly identified as Black or African American (N = 107, 67.7%).
Other participants were identified as Hispanic (N =13, 8.2 %), White or Caucasian
(N = 28, 17.7 %) and other (N = 3, 1.9 %). As seen in Table 1: Demographics, the
majority of the participants were 25-34 (41%) and 35-44 (42.7%). See Appendix A.
Sampling Procedures
A snowball sample was drawn from three social media sites- Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter; it was started with the researchers’ followers who were then
encouraged to share the survey link created through Qualtrics with their followers. On
each of these sites, a post was made by the researcher, with a link to the survey. The
survey closed with a 158 responses to the survey.
Measures
This correlational study used a survey written by the researcher to measure daily
communication and social media use focused on three aspects of daily family
communication. They include: social media use, modes of face-to-face communication
and modes of social media communication. The survey was comprised of 7 demographic
questions and 8 Likert scale questions that asked about family communication. This
anonymous, electronic survey was designed to the take the participants no longer than 20
minutes to complete.
Research Design
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This correlational survey design, explored social media use and family
communication. Specifically, the study looked at relationships between age, gender,
educational attainment and social media use and family communication.
Procedures
The researcher created a survey through Qualtrics, in which a link to the survey
was posted on three social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. All three
platforms only recruited participants that were known to the researcher as “followers”. In
this snowball sample, participants were encouraged to pass the survey link to their
followers.
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Results
Analyses focuses on 158 adults, who use social media, 112 (67.7%) were females.
6 (3.8%). Participants reported an age between 18-24 (N = 65, 41.1 %); between 25-34
(N = 67, 42.4%), between 35-44 (N = 67, 42.7%), between 45-54 (N = 13, 8.2%),
between 55-64 (N = 3, 1.9 %); 65 and older (N = 3, 1.9 %); 107 (67.7 %). Participants
reported their ethnicity as: African American (N= 28, 17.7%); Caucasian (N = 13, 8.2
%); Hispanic (N = 7, 4.4 %); or other (N = 3, 1.9 %). When asked about employment
status, 121 (76.6%) participants reported to be employed, 11(7.0%) self -employed, 5
(3.2%) out of work and looking, 2 (1.3%) out of work but not currently looking, 6 (3.8%)
homemaker, 8 (5.1%) student, and 5 (3.2%) retired. In regards to educational attainment
10 (6.3%) participants reported to have only received a high school diploma, 42 (26.6%)
completed some college, 11 (7.0%) an associates degree, 56 (35.4%) undergraduate
degree, 33 (20.9%), a graduate degree and 6 (3.8%). Shown in Table 1: Demographics
(see Appendix A).
A Pearson’s Correlation was used to examine the question, “Is there a relationship
between social media use and family communication?”. Pearson correlations were
conducted to explore the perceptions of social media on family communication and
relationships. One correlation indicated that the younger the respondent, the less likely
they are to feel that social media has a negative influence on their relationships with
family members (N = 158, r = -.227, p = .004). Shown in Figure 1 (Appendix B).
As seen in Figure 2 (Appendix C), age was negatively correlated with “you are
distracted by social media sites when interacting with household members” (N = 158, r =
-.162, p = .042); as seen in figure 3 (Appendix D), age was negatively correlated with
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“the amount of time other family member’s at home spend on social media sites bothers
me” (N = 158, r = -.171, p = .032). The younger the respondent, the less likely to
perceive social media sites as distracting and the less likely to be bothered by family
members spending time in the home on social media sites.
When the respondents were asked to respond to: “Overall, I feel that social
media/networking has negative effect on relationships with members of your household”,
it was significantly correlated with their response to “social networking effects the
communication between members of my family” (N = 158, r = .354, p = .000). Shown in
Figure 4 (Appendix F).
In a Pearson’s correlation no significant correlation was found between “overall, I
feel that social media/networking has negative effect on relationships with members of
your household” and gender (N = 158, r = -.012, p = .876); employment status (N = 158,
r = -.030, p = .711); ethnicity (N = 158, r =.025, p = .757); or educational level (N = 158,
r = -.112, p = .163). There were also no significant correlations between “social media is
more rewarding than talking directly with family members” and age (N = 158, r = .072, p
= .372); no significant correlations between age and “members of my family experience
other members a rude or avoiding contact when they focused on social media and not live
conversations” (N =158, r = -.044, p = .587 ); no significant correlations between age and
“how often do you use social media in front of family?” (N =158, r = -.014, p =.862).
The findings of this study suggest that younger adults, compared to older adults,
perceive social media as having mostly a positive, yet nuanced, effect on their family and
family interactions.
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Discussion
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social media
use and family communication. The findings of this study suggest social media does have
influence on families and family communication. Young adults are more positive about
social media’s impact, whereas, older adults are more concerned that social media is
negatively impacting the family and its communication. Interestingly, no significant
relationships were found between an overall negative attitude on social media’s effect on
family communication and gender, ethnicity, educational attainment or employment
status.
Limitations
There were four limitations to this study. The first limitation in the study is the
response rate. By the survey being issued online there is the possibility that subjects
would less likely to participate. Non-response bias is the error resulting from distinct
differences between the people who responded to a survey versus the people who did not
respond. The second limitation to the study is generalizability to the total older adult
population. Like any other age group, older adults are a very heterogeneous population.
While the proposed study sample should be quite diverse, the fact remains that certain
segments of the older population will not be included. Third, snowball samples can be
biased. All respondents had a connection to the researcher as a follower (first generation
connection) or as a follower of someone in the first generation. Those connections may
have something in common that would influence how they perceived social media and
family communication. Finally, anytime you use an instrument that has not been
standardized, the validity and reliability are unknown.
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References
Bryant, J., & Zillmann, D. (2002). Social Cognitive Theory of Mass Communication. In
Media Effects: Advance Theory and Research (2nd ed., pp. 121-154). Mahwah:
Lawrence Erlbaum and Associates.
Drussell, John (2012). Social Networking and Interpersonal Communication and Conflict
Resolution Skills among College Freshmen. Master of Social Work
Clinical Research Papers. Paper 21. http://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/21
Duggan, M. (2015, August 19). Mobile Messaging Apps Particularly Popular Among
Young Adults. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/19/mobile-messaging-and-social-media2015/
Galasso-Bonnano, S. (2015, April 7). Social Media’s Impact on Relationships. Retrieved
September 10, 2015. http://psychcentral.com/lib/social-medias-impact-onrelationships/
Keller, M. (2013). Social Media and Interpersonal Communication. Social Work Today,
13(3), 10-10. Retrieved October 17, 2015, from
http://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/051313p10.shtml
Martens, R. (2012, February 17). Using social media to communicate positively; excerpt
from Successful Coaching- 4th edition. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/using-social-media-tocommunicate-positively
Sheldon, P. (2008). Student favorite: Facebook and motives for its use. Southwestern
Mass Communication Journal, 23(2), 39-53.
Sinclair, H., & Wright, B. (2009). Social Networks, Effects on Developed Relationships.
Encyclopedia of Human Relationships, 3, 1543-1548. Retrieved October 14,
2015, from
https://www.academia.edu/1555834/Social_Networks_Effects_on_Developed_R
lationships
Social Networking ProCon.org. (2015, March 24). Retrieved October 14, 2015.
http://socialnetworking.procon.org/
Van Dijck, J. (2013). The Culture of Connectivity: A Critical History of Social Media.
Retrieved October 13, 2015. Oxford Scholarship online.
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Appendix A
Table 1: Demographics
Demographic
Sample Distribution
% (N)
Sex
Male
Female
No answer
27.8 44
70.9 112
1.3
2
Age
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
3.8
6
41.4 65
42.7 67
8.21 3
1.9
3
1.9
3
Ethnicity
Black
Hispanic
White
Other
Prefer Not to Answer
67.7 107
8.2 13
17.7 28
4.4
7
1.9
3
Education
H.S Diploma
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Graduate Degree
PhD/M.D
6.3
26.6
7.0
35.4
20.9
3.8
Employment Status
Employed
Self-Employed
Out of work and looking
10
42
11
56
33
6
76.6 121
7.0 11
3.2
5
1.3
2
3.8
6
5.1
8
3.2
5
Out of work and not looking
Homemaker
Student
Retired
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Appendix B
Overall, I feel that social media/network has negative effect on
relationships with members of my family
7
65+6
55-64 5
Age
45-54 4
35-44 3
25-34 2
18-24
18-24 1
0
0Strongly Disagree
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly
Agree6
Figure 1: Scatterplot of Age and Social Media Influence
Scatter plot showing the correlations between age and the overall effect one feels social
media has on family relationship. The younger in age the less likely they are to feel that
social media have a negative influence or effect on their relationships with family
members (n= 158, r = -.227, p = .004).
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Appendix C
You are distracted social media sites when interacting with
household members
7
65+6
55-64 5
Age
45-54 4
35-44 3
25-34 2
18-24
18-24 1
0
0Strongly Disagree
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly
Agree6
Figure 2: Scatterplot of Correlation Age and Social Media Distraction
Scatter plot showing the correlations between age and “you are distracted by social media
sites when interacting with household members”. The younger in age more likely they are
distracted by social media sites when interacting with household members
(n= 158, r = -.162, p = .042).
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Appendix D
The amount of time other family at home spend on social media
sites bothers me
7
65+6
55-64 5
Age
45-54 4
35-44 3
25-34 2
18-24
18-24 1
0
0Strongly Disagree
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly
Agree6
Figure 3: Scatterplot of Age and Time Spent by Family Members
Scatter plot showing the correlations between age and “the amount of time other family
members at home spend on social media sites bothers me”. The younger in age more
likely they feel bothered by the amount of time family spends on social media. (n= 158, r
= -.171, p = .032).
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Appendix E
Social networking effects communication
between members of my family
Overall, I feel that social media/networking has a negative effect
on relationship with members of my family
6
Strongly 5
Agree
4
3
2
Strongly
18-24 1
Disagree
0
0Strongly Disagree
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly
Agree6
Figure 4: Scatterplot of Social Media Influence and Effecting Communication
Scatter plot showing the correlations between “overall, I feel that social
media/networking has a negative effect on relationships with members of your
household” and “social networking effects the communication between members of my
family. Those that strongly agreed with social networking effecting communication of
between family members also strongly agreed that over they feel that social media has a
negative influence on their relationships with household members. (n= 158, r = .354, p =
.000).
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