Change in screen time of preschool children according to parental attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic with an online survey

Yildiz D., YALÇIN S. S.

International Journal of Environmental Health Research, vol.34, no.2, pp.864-873, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2179027
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Environmental Health Research
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Geobase, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.864-873
  • Keywords: Pre-schoolers, screen time, pandemic, lockdown, parental attitude scale
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The relationship between the change in the screen time of preschool children according to both parent–child characteristics and parental attitudes was investigated in an online study involving 403 mothers. Mothers completed a questionnaire on baseline characteristics and Parent Attitude Scale. Multiple logistic regression and generalized linear models revealed the associations. Change in screen time was grouped as “increase” and “no increase”. 70% stated an increase in the screen time during the pandemic period. The overprotective score was low in the group with increased screen time after adjusting parental age, education, and working status, family type, number of the children, the enrolled child’s age, gender, daily screen time before the pandemic, and caregiver of the child. The child having longer screen time also had higher risk for the history of an increase in screen time in the lockdown period. This situation shows a need for parental guidance for healthy screen use.