The Relationships between Media Use, Temperament and Parenting Stress in Preschool Children

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the relationships between a child's media use, a child's temperament, and parenting stress. Data were collected from 196 mothers of preschool children with self-reported questionnaires; a temperament rating scale, parenting stress index (PSI). Analysis was performed by Descriptive, T-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analyses were performed. TV was the most frequently used media and most participants used more than 2 types of media. The total hours of media use were 3.36 hours. Video viewing, learning, and games were the most common purposes of media usage. The mother's education level correlated with the hours of use; when the level was high school or below, the child was exposed to media for longer. There was a significant relationship between the total hours of media use and a child's temperament (r=−0.246, p=＜.01). There was also a relationship between hours of media use and parenting stress (r=0.815, p=＜.05). In conclusion, a program is needed to educate parents and children about proper media usage. It is especially important to provide interventions to promote parenting skills, including alternative interactions when mothers experience parenting stress.