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Kim KW, Wallander JL, Kim B. Associations of Broader Parental Factors with Children's Happiness and Weight Status through Child Food Intake, Physical Activity, and Screen Time: A Longitudinal Modeling Analysis of South Korean Families. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:176. [PMID: 38397667 PMCID: PMC10888306 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated how broader parental factors including parental happiness, parental play engagement, and parenting stress are related to Korean children's happiness and weight status across three years via indirect pathways through the children's energy-related behaviors of healthy and unhealthy food intake, physical activity, and screen time. Data from 1551 Korean parent pairs and 7-year-old children in the Panel Study on Korean Children were analyzed. A path analysis and gender-based multi-group analysis were conducted. Maternal happiness was negatively related to child screen time. Maternal play engagement showed positive concurrent associations with child healthy food intake and physical activity and negative associations with screen time. Maternal parenting stress was negatively related to child healthy eating. There was one significant finding related to fathers' role on children's energy-related behaviors, happiness, and weight status: the positive association between parental happiness and boys' unhealthy food intake. Child screen time was positively related to child weight status and negatively to child happiness at each age. Broader maternal parenting factors can serve as a protective factor for childhood happiness and weight status in 7-to-9-year-olds through being associated with a reduction in child screen time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay W. Kim
- School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA;
| | - Jan L. Wallander
- School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA;
| | - Bokyung Kim
- Simple Steps Community Connection, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
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2
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Hood R, Zabatiero J, Silva D, Zubrick SR, Straker L. "It helps and it doesn't help": maternal perspectives on how the use of smartphones and tablet computers influences parent-infant attachment. ERGONOMICS 2024; 67:148-167. [PMID: 37154796 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2023.2212148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
As families increase their use of mobile touch screen devices (smartphones and tablet computers), there is potential for this use to influence parent-child interactions required to form a secure attachment during infancy, and thus future child developmental outcomes. Thirty families of infants (aged 9-15 months) were interviewed to explore how parents and infants use these devices, and how device use influenced parents' thoughts, feelings and behaviours towards their infant and other family interactions. Two-thirds of infants were routinely involved in family video calls and one-third used devices for other purposes. Parent and/or child device use served to both enhance connection and increase distraction between parents and infants and between other family members. Mechanisms for these influences are discussed. The findings highlight a new opportunity for how hardware and software should be designed and used to maximise benefits and reduce detriments of device use to optimise parent-infant attachment and child development.Practitioner Summary: Many families with infants regularly use smartphones and tablet computers. This qualitative study found that how devices were used either enhanced or disrupted feelings of parent-infant attachment. Practitioners should be aware of the potential beneficial and detrimental impacts of device use among families given implications for attachment and future child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hood
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Juliana Zabatiero
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Desiree Silva
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
| | - Stephen R Zubrick
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Leon Straker
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Brisbane, Australia
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Morawska A, Mitchell AE, Tooth LR. Managing Screen Use in the Under-Fives: Recommendations for Parenting Intervention Development. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2023; 26:943-956. [PMID: 37171529 PMCID: PMC10640456 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-023-00435-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The impact of excessive screen use on children's health and development is a public health concern and many countries have published recommendations to limit and guide the use of screen media in childhood. Despite this, international studies report that the majority of parents and children do not adhere to screen use recommendations. Existing research aiming to understand children' screen use has largely focused on older children, and on demographic and structural aspects of the child's environment. Parents play a central role in determining young children's screen use and identify numerous barriers to developing healthy screen use practices with their children. However, no clear models exist that incorporate key parenting factors in understanding children's screen use, which presents an impediment to intervention development. Likewise, while some evidence exists for interventions to improve children's screen use behaviours, most are focused on older children and parental involvement has generally been limited. In this paper, we overview key factors associated with screen use in young children (< 5 years) and summarise the existing evidence base for interventions designed to support healthy screen use. This paper proposes a conceptual model linking aspects of parenting and the socio-ecological environment to young children's screen use. Our proposed model could be used to design longitudinal studies of screen use predictors and outcomes, and inform intervention development. Finally, the paper provides key recommendations for future research, intervention development and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Morawska
- Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, 13 Upland Road, St Lucia, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia.
| | - Amy E Mitchell
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Leigh R Tooth
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Frackowiak M, Ochs C, Wolfers L, Vanden Abeele M. Commentary: Technoference or parental phubbing? A call for greater conceptual and operational clarity of parental smartphone use around children. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023. [PMID: 38014698 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen a widespread integration of technology into the daily lives of families. Psychological science has recently started to focus on the use of smartphones by parents while they are engaged in parenting activities, a behavior known under the terms "phubbing," "technoference," "parental screen distraction," and various other terms. We argue that understanding the real impact of co-present smartphone use by parents is inhibited by problems related to the conceptualization and methodology employed in empirical studies. In the present commentary, we identify the features of current research that may contribute to the theory crisis and hamper the progress of psychological research. Specifically, we discuss the implications of (a) inconsistent conceptualization of the phenomenon and (b) suboptimal operationalizations that may prevent us from understanding what is being studied and call for greater consideration of definitional clarity and valid operationalization in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Frackowiak
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- imec-mict-UGent, Department of Communication Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carli Ochs
- Institute of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lara Wolfers
- Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariek Vanden Abeele
- imec-mict-UGent, Department of Communication Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Swit CS, Coyne SM, Shawcroft J, Gath M, Barr R, Holmgren HG, Stockdale L. Problematic media use in early childhood: The role of parent-child relationships and parental wellbeing in families in New Zealand and the United States. JOURNAL OF CHILDREN AND MEDIA 2023; 17:443-466. [PMID: 38222896 PMCID: PMC10786582 DOI: 10.1080/17482798.2023.2230321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Problematic media use (PMU) during early childhood has the potential to interfere with the healthy functioning of family systems and may be associated with significant long-term problems for the child. However, we know very little about what contributes to early childhood PMU, particularly in the family context. We examine parenting factors as correlates of child PMU in two studies, from two different countries, using two different methods. Study 1 (N=93, Mage=45.3months, SD=10.15, 58%males, 87%mothers) investigated the concurrent role of self-reported parental burnout and parent-child conflict and closeness as correlates of child PMU in an early childhood sample in New Zealand. Study 2 (N=269, Mage=41.17months, SD=3.06 months, 49%males, 95%mothers) investigated observed parental warmth and harsh criticism as predictors of concurrent and longitudinal PMU in an early childhood sample in the United States. Together, findings showed that in both countries approximately 22-25% of young children show symptoms of PMU. After controlling for parent's PMU, parent-child conflict, warmth and parental burnout were not associated with child PMU. Low levels of parent-child closeness and parent's use of harsh criticism were predictive of child PMU. The findings advance our understanding of some of the parenting factors that influence the development of PMU in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara S. Swit
- Faculty of Health, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand 8041
| | - Sarah M. Coyne
- School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA 84653
| | - Jane Shawcroft
- Department of Communication, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Megan Gath
- Child Well-being Research Institute, University of Canterbury
| | - Rachel Barr
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University
| | | | - Laura Stockdale
- School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA 84653
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Hood R, Zabatiero J, Silva D, R Zubrick S, Straker L. 'There's good and bad': parent perspectives on the influence of mobile touch screen device use on prenatal attachment. ERGONOMICS 2022; 65:1593-1608. [PMID: 35164662 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2022.2041734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The potential for human-computer interaction to have a substantial impact on adults is well documented. However, its potential importance prior to birth has rarely been reported. Parental use of smartphones and tablet computers could influence the relationship between parent and baby during pregnancy (prenatal attachment) and thus child development. Twenty-seven families were interviewed to explore how parents used these devices during pregnancy, and how device use influenced parents' thoughts, feelings and behaviours towards their baby while in utero. All used devices for a variety of purposes, and all described good levels of prenatal attachment. Parents described both disrupted and enhanced connectedness as a result of device use, and increased parental stress. The findings highlight a new opportunity for how device design and use guidelines could support families to maximise benefits and reduce detriments of device use to optimise prenatal attachment, and thus future parent-child attachment and child development. Practitioner summary: Many parents regularly use smartphones and tablet computers while pregnant. This qualitative study found that how devices were used either enhanced or disrupted feelings of prenatal attachment. Practitioners should be aware of potential beneficial and detrimental impacts of device use during pregnancy given implications for future attachment and child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hood
- Curtin School of Allied Health and enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Juliana Zabatiero
- Curtin School of Allied Health and enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Desiree Silva
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
| | - Stephen R Zubrick
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Leon Straker
- Curtin School of Allied Health and enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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Li H, Luo W, He H. Association of Parental Screen Addiction with Young Children's Screen Addiction: A Chain-Mediating Model. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191912788. [PMID: 36232109 PMCID: PMC9566204 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Preschool children are immersed in screen media, yet little study has been conducted on screen addiction among them. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental screen addiction and young children's screen addiction and to verify factors that mediate this relationship. A total of 477 parents of kindergarteners (3-6 years old) were recruited via six kindergartens in Henan province, China. They completed the Problematic Media Use Measure Short Form of Children, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, the Child-Parent Relationship Scale, and the Parental Screen Addiction Scale. The results showed that the relationships between each pair of parental screen addiction, parental anxiety, and children's screen addiction were significantly positive, but the parent-child relationship was negatively correlated with the other variables. Parental screen addiction can directly and indirectly affect children's screen addiction through parental anxiety and the parent-child relationship. The findings contribute to the development of family protection mechanisms against screen addiction in children.
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Hood R, Zabatiero J, Silva D, Zubrick SR, Straker L. "Coronavirus Changed the Rules on Everything": Parent Perspectives on How the COVID-19 Pandemic Influenced Family Routines, Relationships and Technology Use in Families with Infants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312865. [PMID: 34886591 PMCID: PMC8657679 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study explores how the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced family routines, relationships and technology use (smartphones and tablet computers) among families with infants. Infancy is known to be an important period for attachment security and future child development, and a time of being susceptible to changes within and outside of the family unit. A qualitative design using convenience sampling was employed. A total of 30 mothers in Perth, Western Australia participated in semi-structured interviews by audio or video call. All mothers were parents of infants aged 9 to 15 months old. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and data were analysed using thematic analysis to code and identify themes in an inductive manner. Families described staying home and stopping all external activities. Three themes relating to family interactions and wellbeing were found: enhanced family relationships; prompted reflection on family schedules; and increased parental stress. Two themes related to family device use were found: enabled connections to be maintained; and source of disrupted interactions within the family unit. Overall, participants described more advantages than downsides of device use during COVID-19. Findings will be of value in providing useful information for families, health professionals and government advisors for use during future pandemic-related restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hood
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia; (J.Z.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Juliana Zabatiero
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia; (J.Z.); (L.S.)
| | - Desiree Silva
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth 6009, Australia; (D.S.); (S.R.Z.)
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth 6027, Australia
| | - Stephen R. Zubrick
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth 6009, Australia; (D.S.); (S.R.Z.)
- School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - Leon Straker
- School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia; (J.Z.); (L.S.)
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