FAMILY AND MARITAL SATISFACTION AND THE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES

The popularity of social network sites (SNS) is increasing among all age groups. Since shared leisure is considered to be one of the key factors that contribute to the stability and quality of marriage and family and life satisfaction, the interplay between the use of SNS by family members, their leisure and their marital and family satisfaction should be examined. The objectives of this study were to: (1) Explore how the use of SNSs by family members influences and is influenced by family leisure and family satisfaction; (2) Examine how the use of SNSs by couples influences and is influenced by marital leisure and marital satisfaction; and (3) Examine what rules families have regarding the use of SNSs and how those rules influence their family and marital satisfaction. In this study, 7 families, including 21 individual family members, participated in family and individual interviews. The data showed that participants perceived the use of SNSs to influence their satisfaction with family leisure and their family satisfaction in a variety of ways. Among the negative influences were concerns related to communication in the family, insufficient time spent with family, and lack of attention during interactions. The participants also reported positive influences of SNSs, including an opportunity to update relatives and friends on their family life and development of a sense of belonging. Family relationships also influenced the use of SNS and either led to an increase or decrease in their use as a result of conflicts and tensions. The majority of the families only had unspoken rules related to limited screen time and appropriateness of information shared via SNSs. As a result of the study, the Circular Model of Interaction between SNS, Leisure, and Family Satisfaction was developed. Suggestions for both practitioners and future researchers were provided.