Children's Preferences Research Articles

Children's Preference Patterns and Opportunities for Sensory‐Led Reformulation of Chocolate Chip Cookies

ABSTRACTIn the context of the rising prevalence childhood obesity, this study investigated children's preferences for chocolate chip cookies, a high impact food category. The objective was to explore drivers of preferences and to identify potential pathways for reformulation. A home use test was conducted in four cities in France with 151 school‐aged children on eight commercial chocolate chips cookies. An external preference mapping analysis was performed using descriptive analysis data from a trained sensory panel and analyses of cookies' composition and physicochemical properties. Texture emerged as a critical driver of preference, with a majority of children favoring softer textures. Preferences were not particularly driven by sweetness, challenging the assumption that children always prefer the sweetest products. Cluster analysis revealed distinct preference patterns that were linked to children's BMI and demographic factors. Notably, children with higher BMIs showed preferences for sweeter cookies and higher sugar content.

Effects of social interaction on leisure item preference and reinforcer efficacy for children with autism.

We replicated and extended Kanaman et al. (2022) by comparing outcomes of solitary (leisure items only), social (leisure items with social interaction), and combined (leisure items alone and leisure items with social interaction) stimulus preference assessments to determine the extent to which the inclusion of social interaction influenced the outcomes of preference assessments for five children with autism. We then conducted reinforcer assessments to determine the reinforcing efficacy of high- and low-preferred leisure items when presented with and without social interaction. The results showed that both high- and low-preferred items functioned as reinforcers to varying degrees for all participants and the inclusion of social interaction increased the reinforcing efficacy of some items for all participants. Additionally, the results showed that combined preference assessments predicted reinforcer assessment outcomes for two of five participants but produced false-negative outcomes for three participants. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Family-based mobile application needs in childhood obesity management in South Korea: a qualitative study.

It is essential to investigate the users' needs in developing user-centered, family-based applications (apps) for managing childhood obesity. This study conducted focus group interviews with ten parents, ten children, and four app developers to investigate the need to develop a family-based mobile app for childhood obesity. The interview period was from July 17 to August 30, 2023. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results highlighted 31 key themes critical to family-based app development, including the need for comprehensive content promoting healthy lifestyle habits, tailored expert support, and motivational factors for app engagement, which were categorized as intrinsic, extrinsic, and social motivations and technological features. Participants also highlighted potential challenges, such as app usability issues and the need for a user-friendly interface. The pivotal role of parents in guiding and supporting their children's health behaviors was emphasized, particularly in creating a supportive environment that encourages sustained engagement with the app. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the needs and preferences of parents, children, and app developers in managing childhood obesity. Emphasis on integrating healthy lifestyle content, providing expert support, and incorporating motivational strategies is crucial for the app's success. Additionally, addressing potential difficulties and recognizing the pivotal role of parents are essential considerations. These insights will inform the design and development of a user-centered mobile app that supports families in managing childhood obesity.

Tongue microbiota in relation to the breathing preference in children undergoing orthodontic treatment

BackgroundMouth breathing (MB), a risk factor of oral dysbiosis and halitosis, is linked with craniofacial anomalies and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. Here, we aimed to analyze tongue microbiota in children from the perspective of their breathing pattern before/during orthodontic treatment.MethodsThis prospective case–control study included 30 children with orthodontic anomalies, 15 with MB and 15 with nasal breathing (NB), matched by age, sex, and body mass index. All underwent orthodontic examination and sleep apnea monitoring. Tongue swabs were collected before starting (timepoint M0) and approx. six months into the orthodontic therapy (timepoint M6). Oral candidas and bacteriome were analyzed using mass spectrometry technique and 16S rRNA sequencing, respectively.ResultsMB was associated with higher apnea–hypopnea index. At M0, oral candidas were equally present in both groups. At M6, Candida sp. were found in six children with MB but in none with NB. No significant differences in bacterial diversity were observed between groups and timepoints. However, presence/relative abundance of genus Solobacterium was higher in children with MB than NB at M0.ConclusionsSignificant links between MB and the presence of genus Solobacterium (M0) as well as Candida sp. (M6) were found in children with orthodontic anomalies, highlighting the risk of halitosis in them.

Screen preference and extraversion: key factors in the link between mother phubbing and preschoolers’ problematic media use

ABSTRACT Problematic media use among preschoolers is a growing concern. This study investigates the relationship between mother phubbing and problematic media use in preschoolers, examining the mediating role of child screen preference and the moderating effect of extraversion. 772 mothers (Meanage = 34.13 years) with preschool-aged children from Shanghai completed an online survey. The study found a significant positive correlation between mother phubbing and child problematic media use, mediated by the child's screen preference. Extraversion moderated the link between mother phubbing and child screen preference, with the relationship weakening as the child's extraversion increased. These findings highlight the complex interplay between parental behaviour, child characteristics, and media use patterns in early childhood, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions considering both environmental and individual factors.

Exploring children's preferences for graphic symbols to represent pain‐related words

AbstractChildren who are hospitalized may sometimes not be able to communicate verbally to self‐report their pain or other symptoms due to medical conditions, medical interventions, or communication difficulties. As such, these children may need other means, such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies, in this case, graphic symbols, to express their pain‐related experiences and receive applicable treatment. Choosing suitable graphic symbols to represent pain‐related words contributes to the effective use and implementation of visual support. This study explored the preferences of 6.0–9.11‐year‐old (years; months) children with typical development regarding graphic symbols to represent pain‐related words. These symbols were selected from two commonly used and widespread symbol resources: Picture Communication Symbols (PCS®) and Aragonese Portal of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ARASAAC) symbols. A descriptive, quantitative study design was employed, including a total of 30 typically developed South African children. Data were collected by means of an electronic questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Probability values were determined and predictions, as well as inferences, were implemented. The results showed that the children preferred ARASAAC symbols to represent most pain‐related words (p < 0.001). It is important to consider stakeholders' (in this case, children's) input on their preferences in designing communication support to enable participation during the clinical decision‐making process.

How to meet coping strategies and preferences of children during invasive medical procedures: perspectives of healthcare professionals

Children with negative procedural experiences have an increased risk of fear and distress, with psychological consequences for subsequent procedures and future healthcare behaviors. Gaining control and feeling trust are important aspects for children to decrease fear. To enable professionals providing personal care during medical procedures, a systematic, evidence-based approach that supports children in expressing their preferences is needed. This study will gain insight into the experiences and needs of professionals involved in small invasive medical procedures to meet the coping strategies and preferences of children undergoing these procedures. A qualitative design was used to gain insight into professionals’ perspectives. Data were collected through online focus groups with various professionals involved in medical procedures, such as anesthetists, laboratory staff, nurses, and pediatricians. Five interdisciplinary focus groups, with a total of 32 participants, were held. One overarching theme was revealed: “Balancing between different actors within the context of the hospital.” Professionals reported they had to deal with different actors during a medical procedure: the child, the parent, the colleague, and themselves. Each actor had its own interests. They were aware of the child and parents’ priority to gain control and feel trust. Nevertheless, they perceive organizational and personal aspects that hinder addressing these needs. Conclusion: To provide personalized care, professionals experience balancing between the needs and interests of diverse actors during medical procedures. The findings underscore the importance of a policy supporting HCPs in integrating patient-centered care into practice through practical tools and training initiatives such as scenario training.What is Known:• Unresolved pain and stress arising from medical procedures can have significant short- and long-term impacts on children. Empowering children to gain control and fostering a sense of trust are crucial factors in reducing fear associated with medical procedures.• Children and parents expect to receive child-tailored care from professionals including respect for their own, unique needs, and boundaries. Professionals should build trustful relationships and provide appropriately tailored autonomy around medical procedures.What is New:• Healthcare professionals vary in their awareness of children’s needs during a medical procedure. Beside this, the organizational dynamics of the hospital, along with the presence of actors such as the child, parent, colleague, and oneself, collectively influence the conduct of medical procedures.• Providing person-centered care during medical procedures can present challenges. The results highlight the significance of a policy to assist healthcare professionals in incorporating patient-centered care into their practice through practical tools and a culture of self-reflections regarding patient-centered values.

Rooting for Their Own Gender: Preschoolers' Selective Preference for Winners.

Children's social preferences are influenced by the relative status of other individuals, but also by their social identity and the degree to which those individuals are like them. Previous studies have investigated these aspects separately and showed that in some circumstances children prefer high-status individuals and own-gender individuals. Gender is a particularly interesting case to study because it is a strong dimension of social identity, but also one of the most prevalent forms of social hierarchy, with males conceptualised as superior to females, by adults and children alike. Here we directly asked how children's social preferences are influenced by status (winner or loser of a zero-sum conflict) and winner gender (female or male) in different scenarios (same or mixed-gender). In Experiment 1, children saw same-gender conflicts between two females or two males and they displayed an overall preference for winners. In Experiment 2, participants watched two mixed-gender conflicts, one where the female prevailed and one where the male prevailed. In this case, children chose the winner, but only when they had the same gender as themselves. Experiment 3 confirmed that children preferred own-gender individuals in the absence of conflict or status. Overall, children are sensitive to the relative status of other individuals and use this information to make social decisions. However, preschoolers do not prefer just any individual who wins access to a resource. They preferred dominant individuals, but only when they were of their own gender. This suggests that children's dominance evaluations are modulated by children's social identity.

“Why did she do that?”: Chinese children's preference for trait‐based explanations of behavior

AbstractThe current study addressed the extent to which Chinese children rely on situational characteristics to reason about the causes of valenced behavior (i.e., positive or negative). Specifically, one hundred fifteen 4‐ to 7‐year‐olds from Hangzhou, China, were asked to attribute a character's behavior toward a peer to either that character's traits (e.g., “nice”) or the situation (e.g., being tired and being happy). Across ages, children made trait attributions for both positive and negative behavior but were least likely to do so when information about the character's emotions was available, particularly in congruent valence conditions. In addition, children made an intentionality judgment about whether the character's behavior was accidental or intentional. Overall, children judged positive behavior as intentional but were unsystematic in their judgments of negative behavior. These findings highlight cross‐cultural similarities in children's personal perception and suggest connections between trait and mental state reasoning that may inform strategies for peer relationships.

Balancing nutrition and budgets: Socio-ecological impacts on nutritional environments of families with low incomes

BackgroundResearch on childhood nutritional environments, which are predictive of a variety of child and family health and wellbeing outcomes, has primarily focused on parenting behaviors and the home food environment. However, broader social and community factors play an important role in shaping nutritional environments during early childhood. Food security is a key example that is closely linked to nutrition-related health disparities, which can arise from constrained financial resources and material deprivations. Understanding parent and caregiver lived experiences related to social and community components of family nutritional environments in the context of economic constraints could help to support multi-level nutritional practices that are optimal for healthy child development. MethodSemi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted using a narrative approach with parents (n = 21) of pre-school aged children living near or below the poverty line. Participants were recruited from social and community service sites pertinent to maternal and child health in Philadelphia where health disparities are highly concentrated. Analysis was conducted using MAX QDA analytic software following a systematic approach for thematic analysis in narrative research. ResultsThree themes describe the feeding and eating environments in the home and community context: 1) Food Procurement and Meal Planning; 2) Family Togetherness; 3) Creativity, Variety, and Flexibility. Creative decision making and food procurement strategies responsive to child preferences were balanced by shopping to save and visiting multiple stores for the best foods and savings. Logistical (e.g., transportation, childcare) and emotional supports facilitated food shopping habits and routines, while lack of trusted childcare, reliable transportation, and social support barriers challenged feeding and eating decisions. ConclusionStrategies for improving cost and time-efficiencies could help support health-promoting nutritional environments of families with food insecurity. Building social and community capacity and facilitating connections to practical supports that include trustworthy childcare and peer support may be particularly important for this population.

Comparison of Mand Acquisition and Preference in Children with Autism who Exhibit Problem Behavior

Comparison of Mand Acquisition and Preference in Children with Autism who Exhibit Problem Behavior

A study on emotionally engaging toothbrush design for children: An empirical approach based on child psychology and cognitive development

This study investigates the emotional engagement of children aged 3–12 with toothbrush color design from a psychological perspective, focusing on three distinct age groups: 3–5 years, 6–8 years, and 9–12 years. While previous research has primarily concentrated on the physical attributes of toothbrushes, this study employs a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews and observations, to analyze children's emotional responses and preferences for various toothbrush designs across different age groups. The findings reveal significant age-related differences in emotional engagement; younger children tend to prefer bright colors and playful shapes, whereas older children prioritize functionality. Additionally tactile experience and interactivity are found to play crucial roles in enhancing children's enjoyment and motivation for toothbrushing. Furthermore, the study explores the relationship between toothbrush design and children's oral health behavior, proposing an emotionally engaging toothbrush design framework that considers children's psychological needs across different age groups. This framework offers practical guidelines for designers to create toothbrushes that enhance children's brushing experience and contribute to their oral health. The study highlights the importance of emotional engagement in designing for children and offers new insights into creating user-centered products that cater to children's developmental needs, with implications for promoting children's oral health through emotionally engaging design.

Empowering Library Services through User‐Centric Analysis of Co‐loan Patterns

ABSTRACTBy examining loan data from public libraries in South Korea, we seek to understand patterns in user borrowing behaviors and explore thematic connections among borrowed books. The subject headings of 55.5 million book sets borrowed by individual users on the same day were analyzed using ITEM2VEC. We have identified 40 subject heading communities through cosine similarity of each subject vector, and we have labeled each community using a large language model. Two prominent communities were identified: Global Modern Literature and Novels and Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Folklore. The latter community was associated with a diverse array of subjects, indicating an expansion in children's reading preferences. The study results will be useful for improving collection development and the relevance of book recommendations, as well as for incorporating user information behavior into traditional library material classification schemes.

Walking to School: What Streets Do Children Prefer?

Active school travel provides children with a daily opportunity to engage actively with their local urban environments. Despite widespread recognition that understanding the underlying factors of children’s navigation choices is crucial for developing effective environmental interventions to promote active school travel, there is limited evidence on children’s experiences regarding their school journeys. This is due in part to the fact that most studies rely on GIS-calculated routes which may not adequately represent children’s actual home-school journeys, and hence actual experiences. This study aims to identify specific environmental attributes influencing children’s navigation choices based on children’s (9–10 year olds) actual walking routes to school in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. 45 pairs of selected and avoided streets were compared using a range of urban form (e.g., street connectivity measured through space syntax variables) and street design (e.g., footpath width) characteristics. Statistical analysis highlighted significant design attributes as potential determinants of navigation selections. In-depth street-level observations provided insight into the urban character of these street pairs, identifying the environmental qualities that could offer opportunities for active and safe commuting among children. This study contributes to the literature by broadening our understanding of the environmental attributes that may promote active school travel. Our findings, based on children’s actual experiences, may also inform urban planners and designers on designing inclusive child-friendly cities.

Egalitarian preferences in young children depend on the genders of the interacting partners

In decisions between equal and unequal resource distributions, women are often believed to be more prosocial than men. Previous research showed that fairness attitudes develop in childhood, but their—possibly gendered, developmental trajectory remains unclear. We hypothesised that gender-related fairness attitudes might depend not only on the gender of the Allocator, but also on that of the Recipient. To examine this, we tested 332 three to 8-year-old children in a paired resource allocation task, with both boys and girls acting as Allocators and Recipients. We indeed found gender-related effects: girls more than boys aimed to reduce advantageous inequity, and Allocators of both genders were more averse against male Recipients being better off. Notably, older girls exhibited an envy bias, i.e., they tolerated disadvantageous inequity more when the resource allocation was in favour of other girls than when it favoured boys. We also observed a gender-related spite gap in boys aged 7-8: unlike girls, boys treated other boys with spite, i.e., they valued unfair distributions in their own favour over equal outcomes, especially if rejecting advantageous inequity was costly. This pattern hints at contextualised gender-related fairness preferences that evolve with age that could depend on same- and cross-gender past interaction experiences.

Electronic Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (e-PROMs) in Pediatric Palliative Oncology Care: A Scoping Review.

Objective: Research findings regarding child-centered care and electronic patient reported outcome measures (e-PROMs) within pediatric palliative oncology care reveal an intricate field of study. This study aimed to map innovations in e-PROMs for the pediatric cancer population in palliative care and their impact on symptom management, and communication with healthcare professionals. Methods: A scoping review was designed following the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Literature searches were conducted in CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria targeted children aged 0-18 years with cancer, receiving palliative and/or end-of-life care, and using e-PROMs. Results: Twelve articles were included: 10 quantitative studies, one qualitative study, and one mixed-method study. A narrative synthesis approach was used to summarize the findings, categorized into three sections: (a) technological innovation of e-PROMs in pediatric palliative oncology care; (b) the impact of e-PROMs on symptom monitoring, management, and children's care; (c) the effects of e-PROMs on communication between children and healthcare professionals in pediatric palliative oncology care. Conclusion: e-PROMs have proven effective in empowering children to express their perspectives and actively engage in their end-of-life care. Due to flexible software and devices designed for various age groups, these tools fit seamlessly into children's daily routines and preferences, including the use of play-oriented applications. They facilitate a deeper understanding, and management of physical and emotional symptoms while ensuring care remains child-centered. This emphasizes the importance of preserving the essence of childhood and addressing the unique needs and experiences of young patients in pediatric palliative oncology care.

Phenomenological Study of Fatherlessness in the Lives of Daughters

In a family, both the mother and father’s roles are equally important. A father's role goes beyond being the breadwinner or the head of the family; he is also expected to play a complete role in supporting a child's development and sharing responsibilities with the mother as a wife. When a father doesn't fulfill his role effectively, the issue of "fatherless" arises in the family, which has long-term impacts on the child, including a daughter's perception of her future life partner. Previous research has shown that the absence of a father's role at home (fatherlessness) can influence how a child interacts and shapes a child's preferences in choosing a partner or determining their romantic relationships. This study, employing phenomenology and in-depth interviews with four female informants who have experienced fatherlessness, draws on family communication, attachment theory, penetration theory, and gender role theory. The research findings highlight that the experience of fatherlessness becomes a major communication barrier, affecting the informants in initiating romantic relationships. Respondents express difficulties in trusting and maintaining open communication with close friends. They state that disappointment in their father figure leads them to seek a partner to fulfill their psychological needs related to the missing fatherly figure. The study also confirms factors influencing the perceptions of fatherless daughters in choosing life partners, including a father's involvement in child-rearing, healthy communication between father and child, traumatic experiences, and current parent-child communication relationships. This research can serve as a reference for further studies interested in examining family communication from the perspective of the father's role and the communication between daughters and their fathers.

Self-identification and Racial Preference in Urban and Rural Primary School Children from Southern Peru

Objective: This study aimed to understand the dynamics of self-identification and racial preference in urban and rural primary school children in southern Peru, and to discern the underlying causes of discrimination and racism in these contexts. Materials and Methods: The research adopted a naturalistic paradigm with a qualitative approach and a case study design. Participants included 24 students from urban and rural educational institutions in the southern highlands of Peru. Data was collected using the "Doll Test" questionnaire, based on the original "Doll Test" designed in the 1940s in the USA. Re-sults: The study revealed a concerning trend in students' perceptions of beauty related to the skin color of dolls. Stereotypes were evident in students' perceptions, associating the black doll with "bad" and the white doll with "good". A marked preference was identified for the blonde doll, but a majority identified with the black doll in terms of similarity. Most students anticipated an economically disadvantaged future for the black doll and a privileged one for the blonde doll. Discussion: The findings unveil the palpa-ble presence of racial stereotypes and prejudices in students' perceptions and preferences regarding skin color. This underscores the urgent need to promote a culture of inclusion and respect from childhood and the importance of implementing educational and cultur-al interventions to eradicate these stereotypes.

Research on the design of growable children’s beds based on combined hierarchical analyses

Although the market share of domestic children’s furniture is increasing annually, some potential problems limit its long-term and stable development, and there is still a gap in China compared with foreign countries. This study focused on the demand preferences for growable children’s beds and examined the design features that influence these preferences. This study introduces a combination of Hierarchical Analyses (AHP), Quality Function Development (QFD), and the Platts Conceptual Decision Matrix (PUGH) into the innovative design of a research model for children’s furniture (AHP-QFD-PUGH). This study screened and classified the decision-making indicators obtained from the research, ranked their importance by quantitative calculation, and finally proposed an optimal design solution. Additionally, to further study the structural characteristics, the function-behavior-structure (FBS) model served as a supplementary analysis tool to effectively circumvent subjective factors in product design. This integrated model accurately explored user needs and product characteristics, providing substantial guidance and new ideas for optimizing the design of growable children’s beds and enhancing growth of the children’s furniture industry.

The influence of entertainment and brand characters on children's object preferences and monetary judgments

Companies often use images of popular characters from children's media on their products. The current study investigated how different types of popular characters (i.e., entertainment or brand) influence children's trust, preference for, and monetary judgments of objects. Additionally, we explored whether children's own parasocial relationships with such characters influence their preferences and judgments. Participants included 66 four- and five-year-olds (Mage = 5.06; SD = 0.48; 34 boys; 32 girls). First, children completed a selective trust task measuring their preference for information from a familiar or unfamiliar character. Then children asked which object (i.e., damaged with a familiar character image or undamaged without a familiar character image) they would want and which people would pay more money for. Results indicated regardless of character type (i.e., entertainment or brand), children did not trust (i.e., seek out new information or endorse specific testimony) the familiar marketing character more than an unfamiliar character. Children across all character conditions did not display a preference for either object, however they were more likely to rate the undamaged object as more valuable than the damaged object featuring the familiar character. Parasocial relationships for all types of characters were high and did not relate to children's preferences or judgments. These findings expand on previous research suggesting that although the presence of familiar media characters can influence children's preferences for individual objects, children can also weigh more relevant features of an object, such as potential flaws in the design, when making other decisions (e.g., value).