Parent and child problematic media use: The role of maternal postpartum depression and dysfunctional parent-child interactions in young children

• Published in: Computers in human behavior Vol. 133; p. 107293
• Main Authors: Holmgren, Hailey G., Stockdale, Laura, Gale, Megan, Coyne, Sarah M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elmsford Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2022; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescents; Children; Children & youth; Families & family life; Media; Mental depression; Parent-child interaction; Parents; Postpartum depression; Problematic media use; Young adults; Problematic media use; Postpartum depression; Parent-child interaction
• ISSN: 0747-5632; 1873-7692
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107293

Problematic media use, or media use that interferes with daily functioning, is most often studied in adolescent or young adult age groups. Less research has examined problematic media use within the family system, among parents and young children. The current three-year longitudinal study examines associations between symptoms of maternal postpartum depression at Time 1 and parent and child problematic media use and parental depression at Time 3, with parent-child dysfunctional interactions at Time 2 as a potential mediating variable. At Time 1, 491 mothers of children less than one year old responded to survey questions involving maternal postpartum depression and parent-child dysfunctional interaction. One year later, mothers reported on parent-child dysfunctional interaction, and two years later reported on parent and child problematic media use and parental depressive symptoms. Results suggest that symptoms of postpartum depression at Time 1 is associated with parent-child dysfunctional interaction at Time 2, and parent and child problematic media use and depression at Time 3. Parent-child dysfunctional interaction at Time 2 mediated associations between postpartum depression at Time 1 and parent depression at Time 3. Parent-child dysfunctional interaction did not mediate associations between postpartum depression at Time 1 and parent or child problematic media use at Time 3. Discussion focuses on the implications of problematic media use in the family setting. •Problematic media use is seen in children as young as 3–4 years old and in their parents.•Parents who experience symptoms of postpartum depression may use screen media to alleviate depressive symptoms.•Mothers with symptoms of PPD may exhibit dysfunctional communication patterns with their young child.