Media Use of Mothers, Media Use of Children, and Parent–Child Interaction Are Related to Behavioral Difficulties and Strengths of Children

Tanja Poulain, Juliane Ludwig, Andreas Hiemisch, Anja Hilbert and Wieland Kiess
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Tanja Poulain: LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University Medical Center, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Juliane Ludwig: LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University Medical Center, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Andreas Hiemisch: Department of Women and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research (CPL), Leipzig University Medical Center, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Anja Hilbert: Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Leipzig University Medical Center, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Wieland Kiess: LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University Medical Center, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: The present study investigated the associations of media use of children, media use of mothers, and parent-child interactions with behavioral strengths and difficulties in children. Screen time of 553 2- to 9-year-old children and their mothers were indicated by the daily durations of their TV/games console/computer/mobile phone use. The amount of parent–child interaction was indicated by the frequencies of shared activities at home. Behavioral strengths and difficulties of children were investigated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Children whose mothers reported high screen times (>/= 5 h/day) were significantly more likely to show high screen times (>/= 2 h/day). High screen time of children was associated with more conduct problems, more symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention and less prosocial behavior. High screen time of mothers was associated with emotional problems, conduct problems, and symptoms of hyperactivity/inattention. In contrast, a higher frequency of parent–child interactions was associated with fewer conduct problems, fewer peer-relationship problems, and more prosocial behavior of children. Children might use the media behavior of their mothers as a role model for their own media use. Furthermore, the findings suggest that media use of children and mothers and parent–child interaction contribute independently to behavioral strengths and difficulties of children.

Keywords: media use; interaction; mother; children; behavioral difficulties; behavioral strengths (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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