Digital Ties: Investigating the Influence of Social Media Use on Father–Child Rapport

This study aims to understand how fathers and their emerging adult children (ages 18–25) social media use predicts rapport in their relationship. Data for this study were collected from 38 father–emerging adult child dyads ( N = 76). College students were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling to complete online surveys regarding their social media behaviors and their report of rapport with their fathers. Data was analyzed using actor–partner interdependence models (APIMs). Results revealed that when emerging adult children posted photos on social media, they reported higher rapport with their fathers; however, their fathers reported lower rapport for the same behavior. Also, children engaging in active social media behaviors were associated with higher perceived rapport with fathers, although fathers did not perceive these same increases in rapport. Results of this study can be used by family clinicians and therapists to support father–emerging adult child relationships as social media use remains high in families.