In a recent study published in the JAMA Network Open , a group of researchers examined the prospective associations between perceived technoference (parental digital interruptions) and mental health symptoms in emerging adolescents. Background Digital technology is integral to modern family life, aiding communication, scheduling, and entertainment. However, routine use of devices can disrupt parent-child interactions, a concept known as technoference.
Studies show parents often spend significant time on smartphones, leading to decreased engagement with their children and potential negative impacts on child development, including mental health difficulties like anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and inattention. While previous research links parental technoference to child mental health issues, most studies are cross-sectional, limiting our understanding of causality. Further research is needed to clarify the directionality of the relationship between parental technoference and emerging adolescents' mental health to inform prevention and intervention strategies better.
About the study The present study used data from the All Our Families cohort, a prospective study on maternal and child health in Alberta, Calgary, and Canada. Pregnant women were recruited between 2008 and 2010, with 84% agreeing to participate. The analysis focused on data from emerging adolescents collected during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, involving 1,303 participants.
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