What the study found
The study found that virtual reality (VR) and smart home technologies were each indirectly associated with higher family emotional intimacy through different pathways. VR was linked through increased parenting self-efficacy, meaning parents' confidence in their parenting, while smart home technologies were linked through reduced parenting burden.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the Technology-Based Family Resource Model supports VR and smart home technologies as complementary psychosocial resources for families. They also suggest the findings support gender-neutral, technology-integrated family interventions and provide a theoretical basis for digital equity policies that support early parental well-being.
What the researchers tested
The researchers tested the Technology-Based Family Resource Model, which proposes two pathways: a resource acquisition pathway through VR and parenting self-efficacy, and a resource conservation pathway through smart homes and reduced parenting burden. They studied 169 parent couples with children aged five years and under, using quantitative analyses including confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and multi-group structural equation modeling, plus a qualitative component with 20 participants.
What worked and what didn't
The structural model fit the data well, with CFI = .94 and RMSEA = .04. VR utilization significantly increased family intimacy indirectly through 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 showed full structural invariance across fathers and mothers (ΔCFI = .002, p > .05), indicating the model worked similarly for both groups.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe specific limitations beyond the study scope. The sample included parent couples of children aged five years and under, so the findings are limited to that group.
Key points
- Virtual reality was indirectly linked to greater family emotional intimacy through higher parenting self-efficacy.
- Smart home technologies were indirectly linked to greater family emotional intimacy through lower parenting burden.
- The statistical model fit 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 subsample of 20 participants.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- VR and smart home use were linked to greater family intimacy
- Authors:
- Su Mi Lim
- Institutions:
- Sungkyunkwan University
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-26
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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