Adverse Childhood Experiences and Problematic Media Use: Perceptions of Caregivers of High-Risk Youth
Thisstudylookedat:
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs):
Difficult events, such as sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, that can have negative and long-term effects on an individual's well-being.
Inthisstudy:
Problematic Media Use:
Using devices in such a way that it interferes with important daily living activities
Problematic Media Use behaviors are more predictive of psychosocial difficulties than amount of screen time
AGES
348
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE COMPLETED BY PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS
49%
ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN
5-18
OF CHILDREN
HAD SUFFERED
Results:
Children with ANY TYPE OF ACE display higher PROBLEMATIC MEDIA USE compared to children without any ACES
TOTAL ACES predicted PROBLEMATIC MEDIA USE above and beyond any variance explained by child demographic factors & WEEKLY SCREEN TIME
4 + ACES
MORE ACES
&
MORE TIME IN FOSTER/ INSTITUTIONAL CARE
were associated with
INCREASED
PROBLEMATIC
MEDIA USE
potential explanation:
Potential Explanation: Disrupted child self-regulation, which has already been associated with increased ACES
Recommendations:
Teach vulnerable youth about media use management
Ask about media use when providing care to foster / adopted youth.
Give parents of foster / adopted youth guidance and resources about media use.
Learn more about recommendations for healthy media use in Vulnerable Children in a Digital Age.
Amanda
