TY - JOUR
T1 - Video-Mediated Communication to Support Distant Family Connectedness
AU - Furukawa, Ryoko
AU - Driessnack, Martha
PY - 2013/2
Y1 - 2013/2
N2 - It can be difficult to maintain family connections with geographically distant members. However, advances in computer-human interaction (CHI) systems, including video-mediated communication (VMC) are emerging. While VMC does not completely substitute for physical face-to-face communication, it appears to provide a sense of virtual copresence through the addition of visual and contextual cues to verbal communication between family members. The purpose of this study was to explore current patterns of VMC use, experiences, and family functioning among self-identified VMC users separated geographically from their families. A total of 341 participants (ages 18 to above 70) completed an online survey and Family APGAR. Ninty-six percent of the participants reported that VMC was the most common communication method used and 60% used VMC at least once/week. The most common reason cited for using VMC over other methods of communication was the addition of visual cues. A significant difference between the Family APGAR scores and the number of positive comments about VMC experience was also found. This exploratory study provides insight into the acceptance of VMC and its usefulness in maintaining connections with distant family members.
AB - It can be difficult to maintain family connections with geographically distant members. However, advances in computer-human interaction (CHI) systems, including video-mediated communication (VMC) are emerging. While VMC does not completely substitute for physical face-to-face communication, it appears to provide a sense of virtual copresence through the addition of visual and contextual cues to verbal communication between family members. The purpose of this study was to explore current patterns of VMC use, experiences, and family functioning among self-identified VMC users separated geographically from their families. A total of 341 participants (ages 18 to above 70) completed an online survey and Family APGAR. Ninty-six percent of the participants reported that VMC was the most common communication method used and 60% used VMC at least once/week. The most common reason cited for using VMC over other methods of communication was the addition of visual cues. A significant difference between the Family APGAR scores and the number of positive comments about VMC experience was also found. This exploratory study provides insight into the acceptance of VMC and its usefulness in maintaining connections with distant family members.
KW - Family APGAR
KW - family communication
KW - family connectedness
KW - video-mediated communication
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84872307379&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84872307379&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1054773812446150
DO - 10.1177/1054773812446150
M3 - Article
C2 - 22645400
AN - SCOPUS:84872307379
SN - 1054-7738
VL - 22
SP - 82
EP - 94
JO - Clinical Nursing Research
JF - Clinical Nursing Research
IS - 1
ER -