A Theoretical Analysis of the Role of Virtual Spaces on the Social Interactions of Family Members

Given the importance of understanding theoretical perspectives and analyzing the theories of experts in social fields regarding the use of virtual spaces and their impact on individuals' lives, this study was conducted with the aim of theoretically analyzing the role of virtual spaces on the social interactions of family members.
This research is of a mixed-method type. The quantitative part is descriptive-explanatory and uses a survey research method, while the qualitative part employs interview methods. All married residents (over 18 years old) of Kermanshah city are considered the statistical population of the study. In this research, Cochran's formula was used to determine the sample size as follows. Considering the size of the statistical population, the sample size is 383. To ensure the completion of all questionnaires, 385 individuals were selected as the sample. Data were collected and analyzed using a researcher-made questionnaire and interview forms.
Social theories emphasize the creation of internet addiction and the role of excessive use of virtual social networks on the intra-group and extra-group relationships of families. The extent of the impact of using virtual spaces on the interactions of family members is 28.3%. This finding should be seriously considered by families to improve family relationships and reduce the use of virtual spaces. The results indicate that 28.3% of the total changes in family members' interactions depend on the study's independent variable (use of virtual space), which confirms experts' theories regarding the impact of virtual space on family interactions.