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Role of parental and environmental characteristics in toddlers' physical activity and screen time: Bayesian analysis
Eun-Young Lee1, Kylie D Hesketh2, Ryan E Rhodes3
1Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2H9, Canada.
Insights
Parental beliefs and behaviors significantly influence toddler screen time. Limiting screen time practices and positive self-efficacy reduce toddler screen time, while parental modeling increases it.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- The Socialization Model of Child Behavior (SMCB) provides a framework for understanding influences on child behavior.
- Toddlers' physical activity and screen time are critical health indicators influenced by multiple factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine direct and indirect associations between parental factors, environmental influences, and toddlers' physical activity and screen time.
- To test a hypothesized model based on the Socialization Model of Child Behavior (SMCB).
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 193 toddlers (1.6 ± 0.2 years) using the Parents' Role in Establishing healthy Physical activity and Sedentary behavior habits (PREPS) project.
- Parental self-report questionnaires and accelerometry-measured physical activity were utilized.
- Bayesian structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Higher parental self-efficacy and limiting practices were associated with lower toddler screen time.
- Parental screen time modeling directly and indirectly (via home environment) increased toddler screen time.
- Presence of electronic devices in bedrooms was linked to increased toddler screen time; neighborhood safety was not significant.
Conclusions:
- Parental cognitions, behaviors, and home environment are key determinants of toddler screen time.
- Findings support family-based interventions to reduce excessive screen time in toddlers.
- Further research is needed to identify factors associated with toddlers' physical activity.
Background:
Guided by the Socialization Model of Child Behavior (SMCB), this cross-sectional study examined direct and indirect associations of parental cognitions and behavior, the home and neighborhood environment, and toddlers' personal attributes with toddlers' physical activity and screen time.
Methods:
Participants included 193 toddlers (1.6 ± 0.2 years) from the Parents' Role in Establishing healthy Physical activity and Sedentary behavior habits (PREPS) project. Toddlers' screen time and personal attributes, physical activity- or screen time-specific parental cognitions and behaviors, and the home and neighborhood environment were measured via parental-report using the PREPS questionnaire. Accelerometry-measured physical activity was available in 123 toddlers. Bayesian estimation in structural equation modeling (SEM) using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm was performed to test an SMCB hypothesized model. Covariates included toddlers' age, sex, race/ethnicity, main type of childcare, and family household income.
Results:
In the SMCB hypothesized screen time model, higher parental barrier self-efficacy for limiting toddlers' screen time was associated with higher parental screen time limiting practices (β = 0.451), while higher parental negative outcome expectations for limiting toddlers' screen time was associated with lower parental screen time limiting practices (β = - 0.147). In turn, higher parental screen time limiting practices was associated with lower screen time among toddlers (β = - 0.179). Parental modeling of higher screen time was associated with higher screen time among toddlers directly (β = 0.212) and indirectly through the home environment. Specifically, higher screen time among parents was associated with having at least one electronic device in toddlers' bedrooms (β = 0.146) and, in turn, having electronics in the bedroom, compared to none, was associated with higher screen time among toddlers (β = 0.250). Neighborhood safety was not associated with toddlers' screen time in the SEM analysis. No significant correlations were observed between the SMCB variables and toddlers' physical activity; thus, no further analyses were performed for physical activity.
Conclusions:
Parents and their interactions with the home environment may play an important role in shaping toddlers' screen time. Findings can inform family-based interventions aiming to minimize toddlers' screen time. Future research is needed to identify correlates of toddlers' physical activity.