Exploratory research to understand family dinner experience

Background

Family dinners have traditionally been considered a central aspect of family life. However, in recent years, studies have suggested that the frequency of family dinners has declined, and the reasons for this trend are not well understood. A food manufacturer interested in promoting the importance of family dinners approached us to conduct an exploratory research study to understand the family dinner experience.

Research Objective

The primary objective of the study was to gain insight into the factors that influence the family dinner experience, including the frequency, meal preparation, and communication patterns during dinner.

Methodology

We conducted one on one interviews online using Enumerate AI’s proprietary agile qual methodology. The participants were asked about their experiences, challenges, and motivations related to family dinners.

Findings

Our study identified several factors that influenced the family dinner experience. These included the perceived value of family dinners, time constraints, meal preparation, communication patterns during dinner, and the influence of technology. We found that the value of family dinners was perceived differently among the families, with some valuing it as an opportunity to connect and bond with family members, while others saw it as a chore. Time constraints were a common challenge faced by the families, with work schedules and extracurricular activities limiting the time available for family dinners. Meal preparation was also a significant factor, with some families finding it challenging to plan and prepare meals, while others enjoyed the process. Communication patterns during dinner varied among families, with some preferring a more relaxed and informal environment, while others valued structure and routine. The influence of technology was another factor that emerged from our study, with some families experiencing distractions from mobile phones, TVs, and other devices during dinner.

Conclusion

Our study provides valuable insights into the factors that influence the family dinner experience. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the needs and preferences of families and developing strategies that encourage and support the family dinner experience. The results of this exploratory research can serve as a foundation for further research in this area and help food manufacturers and marketers develop products and campaigns that promote family dinners.