Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
07:01

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Published on: March 1, 2019

Supervising children during parental distractions

Richard E Boles1, Michael C Roberts

  • 1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, MLC 3015, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. richard.boles@cchmc.org

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|March 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Parental distractions significantly reduce supervision, increasing child risky behaviors. Younger children are more prone to these behaviors when parents are distracted.

Area of Science:

  • Child development
  • Parenting studies
  • Behavioral science

Background:

  • Effective parental supervision is crucial for child safety.
  • Distractions can impair a parent's ability to monitor and guide their child's behavior.
  • Understanding the impact of distractions is key to preventing child injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how various parental distractions affect supervision of preschool-aged children.
  • To determine the relationship between parental distraction, supervision, and child's engagement in risky behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Forty parent-child dyads were observed in a simulated home environment.
  • Parents were assigned to conditions with no distraction, phone call, TV show, or computer task.
  • Parental supervision and child behaviors were systematically recorded and coded.

Main Results:

  • Parental distractions led to increased child risky behaviors.
  • Risky behaviors escalated over time during periods of distraction.
  • Younger children exhibited more risky behaviors compared to older children when parents were distracted.

Conclusions:

  • Parental distractions significantly impair supervision capabilities.
  • Reduced supervision limits opportunities for parents to prevent injuries or provide guidance.
  • Interventions should consider minimizing distractions to enhance child safety.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood08:09

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood

Published on: February 11, 2017

Using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation to Measure Set-Specific Capture, a Consequence of Distraction While Multitasking05:58

Using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation to Measure Set-Specific Capture, a Consequence of Distraction While Multitasking

Published on: August 29, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Parenting Styles01:27

Parenting Styles

Diana Baumrind's four parenting styles — authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful, and permissive — each influence children's socio-emotional development differently.
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative Parenting
This...
Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Parental Care00:55

Parental Care

Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
Self-Discrepancy Theory02:45

Self-Discrepancy Theory

One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings01:29

Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...