A qualitative analysis of the social and cultural contexts that shape screen time use in Latino families living on the U.S.-Mexico border

Cristina S Barroso,Andrew E Springer,Christopher M Ledingham,Steven H Kelder

doi:10.1080/17482631.2020.1735766

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand how first generation Latino parents, whose primary language is Spanish and live in a colonia on the U.S.-Mexico border, use screen time in their homes. Methods: A purposeful sampling approach was used to recruit eligible parents of pre-adolescents (ages 9–14) who were native Spanish speakers, and living on the U.S.-Mexico border. Three focus groups in Spanish (two with mothers and one with fathers) were conducted. Data were codified using a general inductive approach based on grounded theory. A consensus process was repeated until a final codebook was developed. Results: Screen time allowed parents to foster familismo (family cohesiveness and bonding) and respeto (respect). Parents knew that a healthy balance of media use is important, but broader social contexts (marital discord and economics) challenged the enforcement of familial screen time rules and parents were often permissive. Conclusions: Our study addressed research gaps by examining the understudied social and cultural contexts (practices, routines, rules, and beliefs) that shape children’s screen time use among a sample of Latino immigrants living on the U.S.-Mexico border. This sample of parents indicated that familismo and respeto (i.e., cohesiveness and bonding) influence familial decision-making including screen time.

Highlights

Screen time is the amount of time a person spends using a device with a screen such as a television (TV), computer, video game console, mobile phone, or tablet
The majority of parents (88.9%) were concerned about the amount of TV watched by their children, 63.2% reported to have screen time rules in their homes, and 45% stated that it was difficult to establish screen time rules
The semi-structured focus group guide allowed for probing questions, most of the probes primarily focused on TV and televised programming

Summary

Introduction

Screen time is the amount of time a person spends using a device with a screen such as a television (TV), computer, video game console, mobile phone, or tablet. Excessive screen time and other sedentary behaviours are associated with an increased risk for obesity, lower physical fitness, greater anti-social behaviours, and lower academic achievement in children and adolescents (Hancox, Milne, & Poulton, 2004; Robinson et al, 2017; Tremblay et al, 2011). The displacement of physical activity with screen time in children is not strongly associated with obesity (Ramsey Buchanan et al, 2016), the lack of physical activity is associated with weight gain and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer (2018Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, 2018). Screen time is associated with the consumption of high caloric, low nutrient foods in both children and adults (Ford, Ward, & White, 2012; Pearson & Biddle, 2011). Too much screen time may usurp healthy behaviours and can be detrimental to children’s health

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