Date
5-22-2024
Department
School of Communication and the Arts
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Chair
Erin Black
Keywords
social media, digital communication, wellness, family support, digital parental supplementation, traditional parental supplementation
Disciplines
Communication
Recommended Citation
Vaughan, Heather S., "A Qualitative Study of Family Communication Patterns Theory of Digital Supplementation on University Students" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5639.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5639
Abstract
Currently there is data that exists to support the benefits of traditional parental supplementation. However, the same cannot be said for digital parental supplementation. At present, it is unknown if remote interaction is necessary and whether it generates the same results in human beings, emotionally, mentally, and physically. As society continues exploring the complexities of the digital revolution and technological tools, it is imperative to explore the limitations as well as allowances in computerized communication. Even more importantly, there are several opportunities associated with digital parental supplementation that people must consider. First, digital media can provide proper parental supplementation if it does not exist in the home. Second, digital media offers all people the same freedoms regarding the exploration and understanding of life. Third, if healthy levels of communication are present within the modern, American household, children do not require digital parental supplementation. Rooted in family communication patterns theory, this qualitative analysis reviews the concept of digital parental supplementation and its association with the theory’s four basic communication patterns: (a) consensual, (b) pluralistic, (c) protective, and (d) laissez-faire. Through the examination of American children linked to Generation Z, the connection is dissected, drawing distinct lines between current data about family communication patterns and modern innovations. The study also highlights potential areas of future inquiry which involve sibling communication variances, ethnic conversation differences, the integration of Christian principles into family interaction, and the presence of multiple communication patterns in the same household. The overall intent of the study is to reiterate the importance of communication in the home as well as the value placed on the traditional family unit.
