A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Digital and traditional communication with kin: displacement or reinforcement?
Authors: Danielsbacka Mirkka, Tammisalo Kristiina, Tanskanen Antti O
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Journal of Family Studies
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF FAMILY STUDIES
Journal acronym: J FAM STUD
Number of pages: 22
ISSN: 1322-9400
eISSN: 1839-3543
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13229400.2022.2040575
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/174865638
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
A salient question in the digital era is whether new forms of digital communication (e.g. instant messages, video calls, e-mails) have displaced or reinforced more traditional forms of communication (e.g. meeting face-to-face, contact by phone, sending letters/postcards). These opposing hypotheses, i.e. digital communication as a reinforcer versus a displacer, have attracted abundant attention among scholars; however, studies have scarcely explored these hypotheses in the context of communication among kin. Using large-scale and population-based data of 1,945 young to middle-aged (18-55 year-olds) and 2,663 older (68-73 year-olds) Finns, we tested the predictions derived from the displacement and reinforcement hypotheses in several kin dyads (parent-child, grandparent-grandchild, siblings, and aunt/uncle-niece/nephew). The results supported the reinforcement hypothesis in all kin dyads, and in both younger and older adults. Associations between digital and traditional communication were positive even after controlling for a wide range of potentially confounding factors. Hence, it can be concluded that digital means reinforce rather than displace traditional forms of contact.
Keywords:
Digital contact, displacement, face-to-face contact, kin, media niche theory, reinforcement
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