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“Grandparents would rather talk; grandchildren would rather text” the influence of ICT use on perceived social support and family communication in long-distance intergenerational familial pairs

Author

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  • Tseng, Jeffrey Tsifan
  • Peña, Jorge
  • Xue, Haoning

Abstract

This study investigated how information and communication technology (ICT) use predicts perceived social support and family communication satisfaction in long-distance intergenerational dyads consisting of younger (ages 18–26) and older adults (ages 60+). Drawing on Social Information Processing theory (SIP) and Intergenerational Solidarity Theory (IST), the study examined 1,336 individuals (668 dyads). Among younger adults, increased use of video calls and SMS texts were linked to augmented perceived emotional and informational support, while voicemail and SMS text use were associated with increased instrumental support. Among older adults, social media use increased emotional support, while mobile phone and telephone use was linked to augmented informational and instrumental support. Moreover, increased emotional, informational, and instrumental support mediated the link between ICT use and augmented family communication satisfaction for younger and older adults. However, only emotional support fully mediated the effect of ICT use on family communication satisfaction for both groups, implying that emotional support was linked to deeper depth and quality of interpersonal relationships. The results offer theoretical and practical insight into how digital communication fosters intergenerational cohesion in long-distance family relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Tseng, Jeffrey Tsifan & Peña, Jorge & Xue, Haoning, 2025. "“Grandparents would rather talk; grandchildren would rather text” the influence of ICT use on perceived social support and family communication in long-distance intergenerational familial pairs," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:83:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x25001691
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102979
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Petrovčič, Andraž & Vehovar, Vasja & Dolničar, Vesna, 2016. "Landline and mobile phone communication in social companionship networks of older adults: An empirical investigation in Slovenia," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 91-102.
    2. Fortuna Procentese & Flora Gatti & Immacolata Di Napoli, 2019. "Families and Social Media Use: The Role of Parents’ Perceptions about Social Media Impact on Family Systems in the Relationship between Family Collective Efficacy and Open Communication," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Shannon Freeman & Hannah R. Marston & Janna Olynick & Charles Musselwhite & Cory Kulczycki & Rebecca Genoe & Beibei Xiong, 2020. "Intergenerational Effects on the Impacts of Technology Use in Later Life: Insights from an International, Multi-Site Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Carmen Llorente-Barroso & Olga Kolotouchkina & Luis Mañas-Viniegra, 2021. "The Enabling Role of ICT to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Emotional and Social Loneliness of the Elderly during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
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