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Published on: October 19, 2014
Brief report: Television viewing and risk for attention problems in preschool children
Carlin J Miller1, David J Marks, Scott R Miller
1Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, USA. cjmiller@uwindsor.ca
Objectives:
This study examined whether high levels of television viewing are associated with attention problems and hyperactivity in preschool children.
Methods:
Parent and teacher ratings of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, objectively measured activity level, and parental estimation of early television exposure were collected for a sample of preschool children. Separate linear regression analyses were conducted with parent and teacher behavioral ratings and objectively assessed activity level as outcome variables.
Results:
Results indicated that after controlling for demographic factors (i.e., age, sex, and SES), television exposure accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in teacher ratings of inattentive/hyperactive behaviors, as well as objectively measured activity level.
Conclusions:
These findings partially replicate those from a recent, highly publicized study indicating a correlation between television exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-associated behaviors. However, it remains unclear as to whether elevated levels of television viewing are the cause or result of ADHD symptoms.
