Psychology News
Researchers at the University of Waterloo revealed that caregivers who use digital media to relax are more prone to negative parenting behavior. The study is published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
The Study
The researchers surveyed 549 participants who were caregivers to at least 2 children between the ages of 5–18 years. They provided information about their mental health, digital use, family functioning, parenting practices, etc.
The Findings
The results revealed that parental figures who use digital media for relaxation are more prone to emotional distress and are likely to display negative parenting behaviors such as nagging and yelling. They are also more likely to retreat from spending quality time with their children as, in their cases, technology interrupts family interactions.
One of the lead authors, Dillion Brown, elaborated: “The family media landscape continues to grow and become more prominent. Going forward, it’s important to consider the nuances of digital media as some behaviors are related to well-being, and others are related to distress.”
To Know More You May Refer To
Zhang, J., Madigan, S., & Browne, D. (2022). Caregivers’ psychological distress, technology use, and parenting: The importance of a multidimensional perspective. Computers in Human Behavior, 134, 107324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107324
