What the study found
Virtual reality (VR) and smart home technologies were linked to family emotional intimacy through different pathways. VR was associated with greater parenting self-efficacy, meaning parents’ confidence in their parenting role, while smart home technologies were associated with lower parenting burden.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that these technologies may serve as complementary psychosocial resources in family life. They also state that the findings support gender-neutral and technology-integrated family interventions and provide a theoretical basis for digital equity policies that support early parental well-being.
What the researchers tested
The study tested the Technology-Based Family Resource Model (T-BFRM) using data from 169 parent couples (338 parents) raising children aged five years and under. The researchers used confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and multi-group structural equation modeling, with 5,000 bootstrap re-samples, while controlling for digital literacy and socioeconomic status. A qualitative component with 20 participants was also used to add lived-experience context.
What worked and what didn't
The structural model fit the data well. VR utilization significantly increased family intimacy indirectly through increased parenting self-efficacy (β = .17, p < .001), and smart home utilization significantly increased intimacy indirectly through reduced parenting burden (β = .11, p < .001). Multi-group analysis found full structural invariance across fathers and mothers (ΔCFI = .002, p > .05), indicating the model operated similarly across gender groups in this study.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not provide details about the qualitative findings, and it does not describe specific limitations beyond the study’s sample of parents with children aged five years and under. The summary is limited to the information reported in the abstract.
Key points
- VR was linked to family emotional intimacy indirectly through higher parenting self-efficacy.
- Smart home technologies were linked to family emotional intimacy indirectly through lower parenting burden.
- The statistical model fit the data well and showed the same structure for fathers and mothers.
- The study included 169 parent couples with children aged five years and under, plus a qualitative component with 20 participants.
- The authors describe VR and smart homes as complementary psychosocial resources.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- VR and smart home technologies support family intimacy differently
- Authors:
- Su Mi Lim
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-26
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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