title: Using Information and Communication Technologies for Family Communication and Its Association With Family Well-Being in Hong Kong: FAMILY Project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Family communication is central to the family and its functioning. It is a mutual process in which family members create, share, and regulate meaning. Advancement and proliferation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) continues to change methods of family communication. However, little is known about the use of different methods for family communication and the influence on family well-being.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the sociodemographic factors associated with different methods of family communication and how they are associated with perceived family harmony, happiness, and health (3Hs) among Chinese adults in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data came from a territory-wide probability-based telephone survey using the Family and Health Information Trend survey (FHInTs). Frequency of family communication using different methods (ie, face-to-face, phone, instant messaging [IM], social media sites, and email) were recoded and classified as frequent (always/sometimes) and nonfrequent (seldom/never) use. Family well-being was measured using 3 questions of perceived family harmony, happiness, and health with higher scores indicating better family well-being. Adjusted odds ratios for family communication methods by sociodemographic characteristics and adjusted beta coefficients for family well-being by communication methods were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1502 adults were surveyed. Face-to-face (94.85%, 1408/1484) was the most frequent means of communication followed by phone (78.08%, 796/1484), IM (53.64%, 796/1484), social media sites (17.60%, 261/1484), and email (13.39%, 198/1484). Younger age was associated with the use of phone, IM, and social media sites for family communication. Higher educational attainment was associated with more frequent use of all modes of communication, whereas higher family income was only significantly associated with more frequent use of IM and email (P=.001). Face-to-face (beta 0.65, 95% CI 0.33-0.97) and phone use (beta 0.20, 95% CI 0.02-0.38) for family communication were associated with significantly higher levels of perceived family well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Socioeconomic disparities in using these information and communication technologies (ICT) methods for family communication were observed. Although traditional methods remain as the main platform for family communication and were associated with better family well-being, a notable proportion of respondents are using new ICT methods, which were not associated with perceived family well-being. Because ICTs will continue to diversify modes of family communication, more research is needed to understand the impact of ICTs on family communication and well-being.
authors: The University of Hong Kong, School of Nursing, Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong).
authors: Man Ping
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4000-2388
authors: MP
authors: Wang
authors: Joanna T W
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5900-8141
authors: JT
authors: Chu
authors: Kasisomayajula
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4795-5803
authors: K
authors: Viswanath
authors: Alice
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5267-1269
authors: A
authors: Wan
authors: Tai Hing
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2033-9971
authors: TH
authors: Lam
authors: Sophia S
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6349-3717
authors: SS
authors: Chan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D003142:Communication; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005190:Family; D005192:Family Health; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010465:Perception; D012923:Social Class; D061108:Social Media; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D060145:Text Messaging; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Chinese; family communication; family well-being; information and communication technologies