An Exploratory Study on Family Dinners and Technology Use During Adolescence in the United States

Abstract

Family dinners have been identified as a protective factor for adolescents. However, over the past two decades, family dinner frequency has been declining. The purpose of this exploratory mixed methods study was to understand the experience of family dinners during adolescence in the United States and how interactive technology has impacted these family dinners. In total, 247 young adults (n = 115 male, n = 130 female, n = 2 non-binary) in the United States completed an online survey with open and closed-ended items. Four themes were constructed through coding reliability thematic analysis: (1) connection and quality time, (2) diversity in family structure and rules, (3) entertainment media versus interactive technology, and (4) barriers to family dinners. Quantitative analyses were used to further understand and support qualitative themes.