Context of digital media use in early childhood: Factors associated with cognitive development up to 36 months of age.

The influence of digital media on child cognitive development is a complex factor that goes beyond screen time. This study investigates the broader impact of digital media on child cognitive development, considering contextual variables such content type, parental mediation, and maternal mental health. Brazilian mothers (N = 212) of children 4-36 months old answered an online survey. Results showed that children's screen time increases with age. The model with unmediated use, non-educational content, and mother's screen time explains 28.7 % of children's screen time variance. Non-educational content and simultaneous screen media use explained 5.3 % of the variance in toddlers' cognitive development. Mothers with common mental disorders tended not to mediate their children's media use. We discuss the influence of caregivers' availability to mediate infants' and toddlers' digital media use and its impact on children's cognitive development. These findings underscore the necessity for educational and awareness campaigns aimed at fostering access to high-quality digital content for children during critical stages of development.

Compartilhar experiências ou prescrever orientações?: um estudo a partir de blogs sobre maternidade / Sharing experiences or prescribing guidelines?: a study from mom blogs / ¿Compartir experiencias o prescribir pautas?: un estudio de blogs sobre

Atualmente, muitas mães têm utilizado o ambiente digital, a exemplo dos blogs, como ferramenta de compartilhamento de experiências sobre a maternidade. No presente estudo, buscamos analisar as temáticas das postagens, bem como em que medida apresentam uma função prescritiva ou informativa, para além da função de compartilhamento de experiências. No caso das postagens com função prescritiva ou informativa, o presente estudo buscou também verificar o embasamento explícito dessas postagens. Foi realizada uma análise de frequência de 845 postagens dos 10 blogs brasileiros sobre maternidade mais acessados. As principais temáticas abordadas estão relacionadas a preocupações quanto ao desenvolvimento infantil, gestação e parto, práticas parentais e exigências da maternidade. Com exceção das postagens envolvendo a última temática, a maioria tinha função prescritiva ou informativa. Os resultados deste estudo confirmam que os conteúdos que circulam nesses blogs se apoiam em discursos construídos no campo da saúde, essencialmente prescritivos, sobre como agir como mãe

Currently, many mothers have used the digital environment, such as blogs, as a tool for sharing motherhood experiences. This study analyzed mom blogs posts' themes, as well as whether they are prescriptive or informative in addition to sharing experiences. We also verifi ed the explicit basis of the prescriptive and informative posts. A frequency analysis of 845 posts from the 10 most accessed Brazilian mom blogs was performed. The results showed that the most frequent themes are related to concerns about child development, pregnancy and childbirth, parenting practices and motherhood demands. Most mom blog posts analyzed had a prescriptive or informative function, except for the motherhood demands theme. Results confi rm that the content circulating in these blogs is based on the health sciences knowledge, which is essentially prescriptive on how to act as a mother

Actualmente, muchas madres han utilizado los blogs como herramienta para compartir experiencias de maternidad. Este estudio analizó los temas de las publicaciones de los blogs de mamás, así como si son prescriptivos o informativos además de compartir experiencias. También verificamos la base explícita de las publicaciones prescriptivas e informativas. Se realizó un análisis de frecuencia de 845 publicaciones de los 10 blogs de mamás brasileñas más visitados. Los temas más frecuentes están relacionados con las preocupaciones sobre el desarrollo infantil, el embarazo y el parto, las prácticas de crianza y las exigencias de la maternidad. La mayoría de las publicaciones analizadas tenían una función prescriptiva o informativa, a excepción del tema de las exigencias de la maternidad. Los resultados confirman que el contenido que circula en estos blogs se basa en el conocimiento de las ciencias de la salud, que es esencialmente prescriptivo sobre cómo actuar como madre

Intervenção educativa sobre uso de mídias digitais na primeira infância / Educational intervention on the use of digital media in early childhood / Intervención educativa sobre el uso de medios digitales en la primera infancia

RESUMO O uso das mídias digitais por bebês é um fenômeno recente. Algumas evidências apontam para associações do uso de telas na primeira infância e desfechos adversos no desenvolvimento. O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar o processo de construção, implementação e avaliação do estudo-piloto de uma intervenção educativa para pais, profissionais da saúde e educadores sobre uso de mídias digitais na primeira infância. A intervenção segue o modelo de educação continuada, consistiu em quatro encontros presenciais no formato expositivo seguido de discussão em grupo e foi avaliada em termos da aprendizagem dos participantes e satisfação com o curso. Participaram 16 pessoas, majoritariamente profissionais de saúde e educação. Os resultados indicaram melhora significativa nos conhecimentos do tema e satisfação com a intervenção, sendo discutidos de forma a subsidiar o desenvolvimento de novas intervenções sobre a temática.

ABSTRACT The use of digital media by babies is a recent phenomenon. Some evidence highlights associations between the use of screens in early childhood and adverse developmental outcomes. This study aims to report the development, implementation, and evaluation processes of an educational intervention for parents, health professionals, and educators on the use of digital media in early childhood. The intervention follows the model of continuing education, with four face-to-face meetings and presentations followed by group discussions. It was evaluated by participants' learning and satisfaction with the course. Sixteen people participated, mostly health and education professionals. The results indicate a significant improvement in participants’ knowledge and high satisfaction rates. Findings are discussed to support the development of new interventions on the subject.

RESUMEN El uso de medios digitales por parte de los bebés es un fenómeno reciente. Algunas evidencias apuntan asociaciones entre el uso de pantallas en la primera infancia y los resultados adversos del desarrollo. El objetivo del presente estudio es presentar el proceso de construcción, implementación y evaluación del estudio piloto de una intervención educativa para padres, profesionales de la salud y educadores sobre el uso de medios digitales en la primera infancia. La intervención sigue el modelo de educación continua y consistió en cuatro reuniones presenciales en formato expositivo, seguidas de discusión grupal y aún fue evaluada en términos del aprendizaje y satisfacción de los participantes con el curso. Participaron 16 personas, en su mayoría identificadas como profesionales de la salud y de la educación. Los resultados indicaron una mejora significativa en el conocimiento del tema y satisfacción con la intervención, siendo discutida con el fin de apoyar el desarrollo de nuevas intervenciones sobre el tema.

Infants' and toddlers' digital media use and mothers' mental health: A comparative study before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study compared children's and mothers' digital media use and mothers' mental health in two samples: one accessed before (Group 1; N = 257; M = 33.18 years; SD = 4.79) and the other accessed during (Group 2; N = 256; M = 33.51 years; SD = 4.96) the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Mothers of children up to 3 years old (Group 1: M = 17.95 months, SD = 9.85; Group 2: M = 16.48 months, SD = 10.15) answered an online survey. Bivariate analysis, factorial ANOVA tests, and multiple linear regression were performed. Results suggest that mothers' and children's media use duration was higher during the pandemic only among children over 12 months. Mothers' media use duration (ß = .18) and mothers' intention to offer media (ß = .23) contributed to the explanation of children's media use duration (F(4, 474) = 16.81; p < .001; R2  = .12; R2 adjusted = .117). Higher mothers' common mental disorders symptoms were also positively correlated to mothers' intention to offer media to children both before and during the pandemic. Results suggest that interventions focusing on infants and toddlers screen time reduction should target maternal aspects such as mental health, maternal screen time, and intention to offer media, taking into account the mothers' needs when planning these actions.

Este estudio comparó el uso de los medios digitales por parte de los niños y las madres con la salud mental de las madres en dos grupos muestra: uno al cual se tuvo acceso antes (Grupo 1: N = 257; M = 33.18 años; SD = 4.79) y el otro al cual se tuvo acceso durante (Grupo 2; N = 256; M = 33.51 años; SD = 4.96) la pandemia del COVID-19 en Brasil. Las madres de niños de hasta tres años (Grupo 1: M = 17.95 meses, SD = 9.85; Grupo 2: M = 16.48 meses, SD = 10.15) respondieron una encuesta electrónica. Los análisis bivariados los exámenes factoriales ANOVA, así como múltiples regresiones lineales se llevaron a cabo. Los resultados indican que la duración de uso de los medios por parte de las madres y los niños fue más alta durante la pandemia sólo entre niños de más de 12 meses. La duración de uso de los medios por parte de las madres (ß = 0.18) y la intención de las madres de ofrecer los medios (ß = 0.23) contribuyeron a explicar la duración de uso de los medios por parte de los niños (F(4,474) = 16,81; p < .001; R2 = .12; R2 ajustado = .117). Más altos síntomas de trastornos mentales comunes en las madres se correlacionaron también positivamente con la intención de las madres de ofrecer los medios a los niños tanto antes como durante la pandemia. Los resultados indican que las intervenciones enfocadas en reducir el tiempo frente a la pantalla de infantes y niños pequeñitos deben dirigirse a los aspectos maternos como la salud mental, el tiempo de la madre frente a la pantalla, así como la intención de ofrecer los medios, tomando en cuenta las necesidades de las madres cuando se planeen estas acciones.

Cette étude a comparé l'utilisation des médias numériques des enfants et des mères et la santé mentale des mères chez deux échantillons: l'un accédé avant la pandémie du Covid-19 (Groupe 1; N = 257; M = 33,18 ans; SD = 4,79) et l'autre accédé durant la pandémie du covid-19 (Groupe 2; N = 256; M = 33,51 ans; SD = 4,96) au Brésil. Les mères d'enfants jusqu'à l'âge de trois ans (Groupe 1: M = 17,95 mois, SD = 9,85; Groupe 2: M = 16,48 mois, SD = 10,15) ont répondu à un questionnaire en ligne. Une analyse à deux variables, des tests ANOVA factoriels, et une régression linéaire multiple ont été faits. Les résultats suggèrent que la durée de l'utilisation média des mères et des enfants a été plus élevée durant la pandémie uniquement pour les enfants de plus de 12 mois. La durée de l'utilisation média des mères (ß = 0,18) et l'intention des mères à offrir le média (ß = 0,23) a contribué à l'explication de la durée de l'utilisation média des enfants (F(4, 474) = 16,81; p <,001; R2 = ,12; R2 adjusté = ,117). Plus de symptômes communs de troubles mentaux des mères était aussi lié de manière positive à l'intention des mères d'offrir le média à la fois avant et durant la pandémie. Les résultats suggèrent que les interventions s'attachant à la réduction du temps d'écran des bébés et des petits enfants devraient cibler des aspects maternels comme la santé mentale, le temps d'écran maternel, et l'intention d'offrir le média, prenant en compte les besoins des mères en planifiant ces actions.

Symptoms of Common Mental Disorders in Brazilian Parents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associated Factors.

COVID-19 pandemic has become a significant international public health problem. In addition to dealing with the pandemic's impact on mental health, parents need to cope with specific changes in their routines caused by social distance measures. This study aimed to investigate common mental disorders (CMD) symptoms in Brazilian parents during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors. A total of 232 Brazilian parents ranging from 20 to 48 years old (M = 33.85; SD = 4.83) with children aged 1-36 months (M = 17.00; SD = 9,87) participated in an online survey. Parents answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), and Parenting Sense of Competence Scale. Chi-square tests, correlations, and multiple linear regression were performed. Results showed that parents' symptoms of CMD were negatively associated to perceived parental competence (ß =- 0.130; p = 0.011) and family income (ß =- 0.190; p = 0.024). Furthermore, perceived stress was the most related variable to parents' symptoms of CMD (ß = 0.618; p < 0.001), showing a positive association. The model explained 49.5% of the variation. Results suggest that lower family income may increase symptoms of CMD in Brazilian parents, which is a concern in a country of high social inequality. Parental sense of competence may be a relevant protective factor. Interventions targeting parental competence and stress reduction should be considered to address the mental health impacts of the pandemic.

Influência da chegada do bebê na relação conjugal no contexto de depressão pós-parto: perspectiva materna / Influence of infant's arrival on marital relationship in the context of postpartum depression: mother's perspective

O presente estudo investigou a perspectiva materna sobre a influência da chegada do bebê na relação conjugal, no contexto de depressão pós-parto. Participou deste estudo uma mãe, de 38 anos, cuja família era composta pelo marido, de 33 anos, pela filha, de dois anos e meio e pelo filho, de 10 meses. A análise das entrevistas contemplou quatro conceitos: poder e igualdade, adaptabilidade, coesão e processos comunicativos. Observaram-se dificuldades como desequilíbrio de poder na relação (principalmente no que se refere à divisão de tarefas pelo casal), dificuldades de adaptação do casal às novas demandas, impacto negativo na comunicação e expressão de afetos e sentimentos, além de estratégias disfuncionais de resolução de problemas. Os resultados deste estudo corroboram os achados da literatura, que caracterizam esta transição do ciclo vital como um momento de crise familiar e conjugal, que é agravado pelo contexto de depressão materna.

The present study investigated the mother's perspective about the influence of infant´s arrival on marital relationship in the context of postpartum depression. A mother, 38 years old, whose family consisting of a husband, 33, her two 1/2 year old daughter and the 10-month-son participated in this study. The interview analysis used four concepts: power and equality, adaptability, cohesion and communicative processes was used as the guiding principle of the analysis. Difficulties were observed as an imbalance of power in the relationship (especially regarding the division of tasks by the couple), difficulties of adaptation of the couple to the new demands, negative impact on the communication and expression of affections and feelings, as well as dysfunctional resolution strategies of problems. The results of this study corroborate the findings of the literature, which characterize this life cycle transition as a time of family and marital crisis, which is aggravated by the context of maternal depression.