Abstract
BACKGROUND
Screen-based media use is prevalent in children and is associated with health risks. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations involve access to screens, frequency, content, and co-viewing. The aim of this study was to test the ScreenQ, a composite measure of screen-based media use.
METHODS
ScreenQ is a 15-item parent report measure reflecting AAP recommendations. Range is 0–26, higher scores reflecting greater non-adherence. With no “gold standard” available, four validated measures of skills and parenting practices cited as influenced by overuse were applied as the external criteria, including expressive language, speed of processing, emergent literacy, and cognitive stimulation at home. Psychometric analyses involved Rasch methods and Spearman’s ρ correlations.
RESULTS
Sixty-nine families were administered ScreenQ. Child age ranged from 36 to 63 months old (52 ± 8; 35 girls). Mean ScreenQ score was 9.6 (±5.0; 1–22). Psychometric properties were strong (rCo-α = 0.74). ScreenQ scores were negatively correlated with CTOPP-2 (Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing, Second Edition) (rρ = −0.57), EVT-2 (Expressive Vocabulary Test, Second Edition) (rρ = −0.45), GRTR (Get Ready to Read!) (rρ = −0.30) and StimQ-P (rρ = −0.42) scores (all p ≤ 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
ScreenQ shows potential as a composite measure of screen-based media use in young children in the context of AAP recommendations. ScreenQ scores were correlated with lower executive, language and literacy skills, and less stimulating home cognitive environment.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank research coordinators Arielle Wilson and Amy Kerr for overseeing data collection, data entry, and quality control. We also acknowledge Dr. Alan Mendelsohn, M.D. and his team at the Bellevue Project for Early Language, Literacy, and Education Success (BELLE Project) for the development of the StimQ measure, which provided inspiration for the ScreenQ name, and for their generosity sharing StimQ for the benefit of children and families. This study was funded by a Procter Scholar Award from the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation (Hutton).
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J.S.H. researched and drafted the ScreenQ screening instrument used in this study, designed the study protocol, supervised data collection, collaborated in data analysis and measure refinement, and drafted the initial manuscript and subsequent revisions. G.H. and R.D.S. performed all data analysis for this study, created the tables and graphs, and reviewed and revised the manuscript and subsequent revisions. T.D.W. provided guidance on the study protocol design, analysis, and measure refinement, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. R.I. directed and supervised psychometric and other data analyses, consulted in the development and refinement of ScreenQ screening instrument, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted.
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Hutton, J.S., Huang, G., Sahay, R.D. et al. A novel, composite measure of screen-based media use in young children (ScreenQ) and associations with parenting practices and cognitive abilities. Pediatr Res 87, 1211–1218 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-0765-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-0765-1
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