AUTHOR=Zoromba Mohamed A. , Abdelgawad Doaa , Hashem Sahar , El-Gazar Heba , Abd El Aziz Magda Ahmed 

TITLE=Association between media exposure and behavioral problems among preschool children

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1080550

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1080550

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>The prevalence of behavioral problems among preschool children is remarkably increasing in the clinical setting.</p></sec><sec><title>Aim</title><p>The current study aimed to investigate the association between media exposure and behavioral problems among preschool children.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>This survey study recruited 560 children from 10 nurseries selected randomly, located in El-Mansoura, Egypt. Tools included socio-demographic characteristics the Media Exposure Questionnaire and the Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scales (CBRS-48).</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The participants were exposed to media for an average of 105.84 min per day and displayed moderate levels in all subscales of CBRS-48. The duration of media exposure was significantly correlated to the hyperactivity index, learning problems, hyperactivity/impulsivity, conduct problem, anxiety, and psychosomatic problems (<italic>r</italic> = 0.372, 0.356, 0.323, 0.306, 0.298, 0.291, and 0.255, respectively).</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>The duration of media exposure was significantly correlated to the subscales of CBRS-48.</p></sec><sec><title>Implication for nursing practice</title><p>Preschool children should be engaged in concrete activities and social interactions that may lessen negative media effects such as hyperactivity, learning problems, hyperactivity/impulsivity, conduct problem, anxiety, and psychosomatic problems.</p></sec>