Media Effects Research Lab - Research Archive
Co-Design with Couple Parents: Uses and Gratifications of Co- parenting App Functions
Student Researcher(s)
Ya-Fang Lin (Ph.D Candidate);
Faculty Supervisor
Positive co-parenting is critical for parenting and child outcomes, especially for new parents, who su9er from an increase in conflicts and decreased marital relationships. Investigating the practices, strategies, and challenges of new parents’ co-parenting, including collaborating, supporting, and relating to each other, can help better understand this vulnerable parenting period.
We report findings from an exploratory co-design workshop study with 2 pairs of parents and a new father who are interested in co-parenting and unpack their gratifications towards co-parenting apps. The study identifies three main gratifications derived from co-parenting apps: (1) Shareability: This feature allows parents to share various baby-related activities and updates, fostering a sense of inclusion and family closeness, particularly for parents who cannot be physically present. It addresses the cognitive need for feeling included in the family's daily routines and activities through shared information, like baby schedules or photos. (2) Automation with Human Agency: This gratification comes from the app's ability to automate the expression of appreciation, which is crucial yet di9icult for parents overwhelmed by childcare responsibilities. The automation reduces the cognitive load on parents, enabling them to maintain emotional support and relationship strength without the added stress of remembering to express gratitude manually. (3) Visualization: Visualization tools within the app help parents become more aware of family dynamics and e9orts, which might otherwise go unnoticed. This feature can highlight contributions and needs through visual aids like priority lists and shared calendars, enhancing mutual understanding and appreciation among co- parents. It aims to foster a deeper sense of connection by making invisible e9orts visible and facilitating discussions around the division of labor and emotional support.
We conclude with a discussion of the design implications and future work.
For more details regarding the study contact
Dr. S. Shyam Sundar by e-mail at sss12@psu.edu or by telephone at (814) 865-2173