Effects of Triple P on Digital Technological Device Use in Preschool Children

Abstract

Recent studies about Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) have documented benefits in preschool children and their parents. Little, however, is known about how Triple P interventions affect young children’s digital technological device use. Maternal well-being, which was associated with early digital technological device use, is targeted in Triple P and as a result benefits on maternal well-being and family functioning, and parental and children’s digital technological device use can change. This study was conducted using the pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design to determine the effect of Triple P on digital technological device use in preschool children. The study consisted of mothers (n = 76) and children (n = 76) aged between 3–6 years in a state hospital located in the Cappadocia region in 2016. Triple P was provided to mothers once a week over a total of 3 sessions. A Parent Child Information Form, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Family Assessment Device (FAD) were administered to the participating mothers. It was determined that after the intervention, the duration of digital technological device use decreased, the aims of using digital technological devices changed, and maternal well-being and family functioning improved. Our findings suggest that family functioning and maternal well-being affect children’s digital technological device use, duration, and type. Focusing on families’ education and needs may help the development of more beneficial digital technology use.