The Effect of Screen Viewing Duration and Self-Efficacy in Limiting Screen Viewing on Loneliness in Adolescent-Parent Dyads: An Application of the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

Abstract

PurposeTo examine the influence of parents' screen viewing (SV) duration and self-efficacy in limiting SV on their adolescents' loneliness, and to explore the influence of adolescents' SV duration and self-efficacy in limiting SV on parents' loneliness. Design and methodsA cross-sectional survey with 1573 adolescent-parent dyads from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating Study were included in this study. The actor-partner interdependence models were used to examine the effect of each dyadic partner's SV duration and self-efficacy in limiting SV on their own and their dyadic partner's loneliness within adolescent-parent dyads. ResultsThere were no significant actor and partner effects of SV duration on loneliness for both parents and adolescents (all ps > 0.05). Adolescents' self-efficacy in limiting SV was associated with less loneliness of their own (adolescents' actor effect: β = −0.35, SE = 0.04, p < .01) and that of their parents (adolescents' partner effect: β = −0.15, SE = 0.04, p = .001). Parents' self-efficacy in limiting SV was negatively associated with their own loneliness (parents' actor effect: β = −0.25, SE = 0.05, p < .01), but not with their adolescents' loneliness (parents' partner effect: β = −0.06, SE = 0.05, p = .189). ConclusionsAdolescents' own self-efficacy in limiting SV has a significant impact on their parents' loneliness. Parents' self-efficacy in limiting SV, however, did not influence their adolescents' loneliness. Practice implicationsOur results highlight the importance of providers screening for loneliness as part of the plan of care for adolescents and parents who might have excessive SV, with close attention given to those who possess less self-efficacy in controlling their SV.