qualitative and quantitative analysis of the impact of virtual social networks on family structure

this study has been conducted to examine the impact of the increasing use of virtual social networks on family structure. to achieve more accurate results, the research is carried out using the mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) and to collect the required date, first, 30 married individuals active in virtual social networks were selected and interviewed. then, a questionnaire was utilized to test the hypotheses. the findings revealed that mere presence of people in social networks and their use of the relevant technologies cannot lead to loss of identity and breakdown in the family institution, but rather presence in these networks can help individuals gain relative supports by being familiar with and having control over various aspects of this phenomenon and observing the rules governing it. furthermore, there is no relationship between the extent of using virtual social networks and relational social capital within family (intra-group), but the kind of use people make of these networks and the feeling of familial attachment are correlated. apparently, it is the other members of the family who feel that familial attachment and social capital decrease and the users themselves do not believe that family-related social capital declines due to using virtual social networks.