A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Digital relatedness: A longitudinal study on social resources and the use of smart technology




AuthorsLatikka, Rita; Koivula, Aki; Bergdahl, Jenna; Oksanen, Atte

PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD

Publishing placeLONDON

Publication year2024

JournalNew Media and Society

Journal name in sourceNEW MEDIA & SOCIETY

Journal acronymNEW MEDIA SOC

Number of pages21

ISSN1461-4448

eISSN1461-7315

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1177/14614448241295721(external)

Web address https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448241295721(external)

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/477188182(external)


Abstract
The digital world is a vital place to connect with others. This study investigates individual differences in experiencing relatedness through new technologies, or "digital relatedness." The study is grounded in a novel framework that combines social and digital capital and self-determination theory perspectives. We used a three-wave survey conducted from 2021 to 2023 involving 1226 Finnish adults and applied random effects within-between models for data analysis. The results show positive within- and between-person effects of a preference for interacting with artificially intelligent systems (over humans) and the use of smart technology on digital relatedness as well as positive between-person effects of a sense of local community belonging. The positive effect of using smart technology was particularly evident for individuals with a lower or medium level of local community belonging. The results suggest that frequent technology use can enhance digital relatedness, especially for those less connected to their local community.

Downloadable publication

This is an electronic reprint of the original article.
This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail. Please cite the original version.




Funding information in the publication
This research received funding from the Kone Foundation (Urban utopias and dystopias: artificial intelligence in art and society [UrbanAI] project 2021–2024, Grant 202011325, PI: Atte Oksanen) and the Academy of Finland (INVEST Flagship, Grant 320162).


Last updated on 2025-27-01 at 19:21