Jodi Dworkin

The Relationships Between Emerging Adults' Expressed Desire to Marry and Frequency of Participation in Risk-Taking Behaviors

The impact that desire to marry has on risk-taking behaviors during emerging adulthood is examined in the current investigation using nationally representative data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Looking both at the simple relationships between desire to marry and risk-taking behaviors, as well as the possible predictive power desire to marry could have on binge drinking, marijuana use, and sexual behaviors, data revealed that attitudes toward marriage may be an important component of emerging adulthood and risk-taking research. Results indicate that desire to marry was predictive of several risk-taking behaviors for both men and women even after controlling for other known predictors of risk-taking. Implications for future research are discussed.

A literature review of parents’ online behavior

The purpose of this literature review was to compile and analyze the research that has been conducted on parents’ use of the Internet and determine what we know about how parents use the Internet in everyday life. A comprehensive literature review focusing on studies that have asked parents about their Internet use was conducted to include research published through December 2011. This yielded 27 studies. Articles were summarized and then organized by content. Three main themes emerged: what parents are doing online, social support online, and the digital divide. This literature review revealed that parents go online to search for parenting information and social support and generally report satisfaction with the resources they find on the Internet. Parents still express hesitation in trusting various online resources, though, and desire greater education in Internet searching and deciphering the credibility of online information. In addition, this review also exposes gaps in current research, provides direction for future research, and has implications for how to effectively reach parents using the Internet.

Does social network site use matter for mothers? Implications for bonding and bridging capital

Abstract Utilizing a national sample of mothers, we explored the impact of attitudes toward technology and comfort with technology on frequency of social network site use and number of social network site activities. We then extended that model to consider the implications of social network site use on bonding and bridging social capital. Path analysis revealed that mothers’ age impacted their comfort with technology which was associated with their number of social network site activities. Frequency of social network site use was positively related to mothers’ reports of bonding social capital. The number of social network site activities, on the other hand, was positively related to both bonding and bridging social capital. These associations varied by child age. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.

A Comparison of Three Online Recruitment Strategies for Engaging Parents

Family scientists can face the challenge of effectively and efficiently recruiting normative samples of parents and families. Utilizing the Internet to recruit parents is a strategic way to find participants where they already are, enabling researchers to overcome many of the barriers to in-person recruitment. The present study was designed to compare three online recruitment strategies for recruiting parents: e-mail Listservs, Facebook, and Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Analyses revealed differences in the effectiveness and efficiency of data collection. In particular, MTurk resulted in the most demographically diverse sample, in a short period of time, with little cost. Listservs reached a large number of participants and resulted in a comparatively homogeneous sample. Facebook was not successful in recruiting a general sample of parents. Findings provide information that can help family researchers and practitioners be intentional about recruitment strategies and study design.

Adolescent-Parent Communication in a Digital World: Differences by Family Communication Patterns

We examined how family communication patterns (FCPs) are associated with frequency of adolescent–parent communication in person, over the phone, via text message, and via email. Adolescents (N = 195) aged 13 to 18 completed an online survey assessing FCPs and frequency of communication methods used with parents. The results revealed that both frequency and method of communication differed by general FCPs; adolescents in higher conformity families reported less frequent text messaging with mothers than adolescents in lower conformity families, and adolescents in higher conversation families (mothers only) and lower conformity families reported more frequent email communication with parents. Results set the stage for future research to further explore the processes and outcomes of adolescent–parent communication through communication technology.

Examining Digital Differences: Parents' Online Activities

In an information-based society, digital inequalities among parents have negative implications for families, yet not much is understood about how socioeconomic status is related to parents’ online activities. Based on ecological systems theory and social capital concepts, this research investigated the differences in 1,518 parents’ online activities by income, age, education, and comfort. Income was a significant predictor of frequency of information seeking activities, but not of frequency of parents’ online social activities. However, comfort with technology emerged as a more salient predictor of both types of online behavior than indicators of socio-economic status or age. This research highlights the need to study differences in parent’s digital use in context. Implications for family life educators, researchers, and policy makers are discussed.

Is Technology-Mediated Parental Monitoring Related to Adolescent Substance Use?

ABSTRACT Background: Prevention researchers have identified parental monitoring leading to parental knowledge to be a protective factor against adolescent substance use. In todays digital society, parental monitoring can occur using technology-mediated communication methods, such as text messaging, email, and social networking sites. Objectives: The current study aimed to identify patterns, or clusters, of in-person and technology-mediated monitoring behaviors, and examine differences between the patterns (clusters) in adolescent substance use. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 289 parents of adolescents using Facebook and Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Cluster analyses were computed to identify patterns of in-person and technology-mediated monitoring behaviors, and chi-square analyses were computed to examine differences in substance use between the identified clusters. Results: Three monitoring clusters were identified: a moderate in-person and moderate technology-mediated monitoring cluster (moderate-moderate), a high in-person and high technology-mediated monitoring cluster (high-high), and a high in-person and low technology-mediated monitoring cluster (high-low). Higher frequency of technology-mediated parental monitoring was not associated with lower levels of substance use. Conclusions: Results show that higher levels of technology-mediated parental monitoring may not be associated with adolescent substance use.

COPARENTING IN THE DIGITAL ERA: EXPLORING DIVORCED PARENTS’ USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Abstract Purpose The current study was designed to examine how and why divorced parents use computers and the Internet for communication with their coparent and with their child(ren). Methodology/approach The current study utilized the uses and gratification perspective. A subsample of 178 divorced parents with at least one child aged 25 or younger from a larger research project participated. Parents were recruited to participate in a 15-minute online survey through email listservs with a nationwide and demographically diverse reach. Findings Analyses revealed that divorced parents are active users of technology, for communicating with their child(ren) as well as with the child(ren)’s other parent. In addition, parents were comfortable using the Internet and accessing online parenting information, citing few barriers to use. Research limitations/implications We did not capture the reasons for communicating or the content of communication. Future research should use innovative methodologies and measures to better understand the use of specific technologies and tools to negotiate boundaries between coparents living apart. In addition, a larger, more diverse sample might reveal different patterns of divorced parents’ technology use. Practical implications Technology allows for asynchronous communication, staying up to date, making plans, and making decisions with minimal interaction, and thus maintaining boundaries. Our evidence suggests technology could help parents find areas of agreement around their children’s lives in a less contentious environment. Originality/value This study provides the essential groundwork for further examination of ways to support coparent communication via technology.

Exploring the associations between substance use and online risk-taking among college students

ABSTRACT Background: The rise of the Internet has provided another context in which college students can engage in normative risk-taking behavior. However, little is known about online risk-taking or the extent to which it is associated with substance use. Methods: Heterogeneity in self-reported online risk-taking was explored among 246 U.S. college students (17–23 year old; 60% male; 65% White) using a finite number of discrete online risk-taking profiles. The relationship between different profiles of online risk-taking and substance use was then assessed using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Three unique classes of online risk-taking emerged. Individuals in the high online risk-taking class had significantly higher odds of engaging in lifetime alcohol use, lifetime marijuana use, and lifetime illegal drug use compared to individuals in the low risk-taking class. Substance use was not associated with the probability of membership in the sexual online risk-taking class relative to the low risk-taking class. Conclusions: Results suggest a need for a more nuanced understanding of which students are engaging in online risks and how online risk-taking is associated with substance use.