Problematic media use and psychological adaptation in children in the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

PurposeThis study was conducted to determine the problematic media use and psychological adaptation levels of children. Design and methodsParents of 685 children living in Turkey participated in the descriptive cross-sectional design study. Descriptive Characteristics Form, Problematic Media Use Measure and Hacettepe Psychological Adaptation Scale were used to collect research data. ResultsProblematic media use of the children is moderate. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the time spent in front of the screen in the majority of children. Psychological adaptation problem was determined in approximately one-third of children. Male gender and screen time spent affect problematic media use and psychological adaptation levels of children. ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic increased the problematic media use and psychological adaptation problems of children. Practice implicationsIt is recommended that nurses guide parents to limit children's screen time and to plan interventions to solve their psychological adaptation problems.