What mums think matters: a mediating model of maternal perceptions of the impact of screen time on preschoolers\u27 actual screen time

Screen time during the preschool years is detrimental to wellbeing. The impact of parental perceptions on preschoolers\u27 screen time is unknown. This paper explores the association between maternal perceptions of the impact of screen time on their preschoolers\u27 wellbeing with their child\u27s screen time and the potential mediating role of their perception of the appropriate amount of screen time. In 2013–2014, mothers of 575 preschoolers (2–5 years; metropolitan Melbourne and online sources) reported: their perceptions of the impact of screen time on 11 aspects of wellbeing, conceptually grouped to physical, social and cognitive well-being; their perceptions of the appropriate amount of screen time for preschoolers; and their child\u27s actual screen time. Regression analyses investigated associations between perceptions and children\u27s screen time. Mediation by perception of the appropriate amount of screen time was examined using indirect effects. Mothers\u27 perceptions of the impact of screen time on social and cognitive wellbeing had a significant indirect effect on children\u27s actual screen time through mothers\u27 perception of the appropriate amount of screen time for their child. Findings illustrate the potential impact of parents\u27 perceptions on their children\u27s behaviors. Although a significant indirect effect was identified, direction of causality cannot be implied. Further exploration of the direction of association to determine causality, and interventions targeting parental perceptions, are warranted