Abstract
Screen media multitasking (SMM), the act of exposure ≥ 2 screen media simultaneously, is increasing nowadays. Single media use was associated with child's behavioural problems in previous studies. However, the associations between SMM since early childhood and behavioural problems in school-age children had not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the association between SMM from age 6months to 4years and behavioural problems in 6-year-old children. Two hundred and ninety-one (52.6% girls) healthy children were enrolled since age 6months and 259 participants were followed-up until age 6years. SMM was obtained at age 6, 12, 18, 24months, 3 and 4years. Behavioural concerns were assessed at age 4years by the Child Behaviour Checklist and by both the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire with the Conners Kiddie Continuous Performance Test at age 6years. Parenting style, cognitive ability, and baseline characteristics were also ascertained. Partial least squares path modelling was performed to determine both direct and indirect relationships among variables. Results showed that children who had been exposed to SMM for longer duration, specifically at age 18months, showed more behavioural problems at age 4 and 6years. Positive parenting during preschool and behavioural concerns at age 4years were main mediators of those associations. Moreover, SMM in minutes at age 18months was related to decreased preschool cognition. To minimise behavioural problems in school-age children, SMM should be avoided before 2years of age so that positive parenting may be successfully implemented since early childhood.
Published Version
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