Increased Digital Media Use in Preschool Children: Exploring the Links with Parental Stress and Their Problematic Media Use.

BACKGROUND: Intense or problematic media use behavior of parents could serve as a role model for their children's media use behavior. So far, knowledge is scarce about increased children's media use (ICMU) and its association with parental stress (PS) and problematic parental media use (PPMU). METHODS: ICMU was examined using a modified set of the DSM-5 criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder. PS was assessed via the widely used Parenting Stress Index, and PPMU was assessed using the Short Compulsive Internet Use Scale. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the links between ICMU, PS, and PPMU. A mediation analysis was performed to examine if PPMU mediated the relationship between PS and ICMU. RESULTS: In sum, 809 parents (M = 36.89 years; SD = 4.87; 81.4% female) of preschool children (average age: 44.75 months, SD = 13.68) participated in the study. ICMU was statistically significantly related to higher age of the parent, greater PPMU, and higher PS. Furthermore, we found that the association between PS and ICMU was partially mediated by PPMU. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that more pronounced PS and PPMU are associated with ICMU, highlighting the necessity of considering these parental variables when developing early prevention strategies for preschool-age children.

Association of Increased Impulsiveness and Internet Use Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults with Different Main Activities on the Internet.

Objective: Increased impulsiveness is a risk factor for health-endangering behavior patterns. Little is known about whether increased impulsiveness is associated with Internet Use Disorder (IUD) and whether individuals with various main activities on the internet differ in their levels of impulsiveness. Methods: In total, we screened 8,230 vocational students for problematic internet use with the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). Participants scoring at least 21 points in the CIUS took part in an in-depth diagnostic interview. IUD was assessed according to the criteria of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) as suggested in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Impulsiveness was assessed with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-15). We analyzed the data using binary logistic regression models and nonparametric tests. Results: Participants with IUD (n = 144) showed increased impulsiveness (p = .005) compared to those without IUD (n = 774). Participants with different main activities on the internet did not differ in their levels of impulsiveness. Conclusions: Results indicate that impulsiveness is associated with IUD, independent of the main internet activity. This highlights the necessity to consider patients' impulsiveness in prevention and therapeutic approaches. Because of the cross-sectional study design, further research with longitudinal study designs is needed.