scholarly journals “It's Been Negative for Us Just All the Way Across the Board”: Focus Group Study Exploring Parent Perceptions of Child Screen Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber J Hammons ◽  
Elizabeth Villegas ◽  
Ryan Robart
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Family Routines ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Regular Family

BACKGROUND Child screen time (ST) has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic as lockdowns and restrictions have forced changes to regular family routines. It is important to investigate how families are navigating ST. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore families’ experiences of ST during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Virtual focus group sessions were conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 in English and Spanish. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS In total, 48 parents (predominantly Hispanic) residing in California participated in 1 of 14 focus group sessions. Children were attending school remotely at the time of the study. A total of 6 themes and 1 subtheme were identified: (1) total ST has increased; (2) children are too attached to screens; (3) ST has advantages and disadvantages but parents perceive ST as mostly negative; (4) parents and children have limited options; (5) ST restrictions (subtheme: children react negatively when ST is restricted); and (6) parents are concerned that children are not getting enough exercise. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a cross-sectional insight into how family life has changed with regard to ST during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents expressed concerns about total ST, the addictive nature of it, and lack of physical activity. It is important that future studies examine the long-term effects of heavy ST and preemptively introduce ways to redirect children’s ST habits as the country attempts to establish a new normal.

What’s in it for me? Food packaging and consumer responses, a focus group study

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 1122-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrik Fernqvist ◽  
Annika Olsson ◽  
Sara Spendrup
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Consumer Benefits ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer views on different aspects of packaging, exemplified by a common product in the fruit and vegetable category and to identify advantages and disadvantages perceived by consumers purchasing packaged or unpackaged products. Design/methodology/approach – Three focus group interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis based on theory was performed. The findings were categorised into nine themes. Findings – Consumer views on packaging aspects were revealed, covering: packaging material; pack size; protection and preservation; convenience; price; communication and information; ethical perspectives; novelty and innovation; and advantages and disadvantages of packaged and unpackaged products. Research limitations/implications – The study adds to present knowledge on the role of packaging in consumers’ food choices. The qualitative analysis identified areas for further research through quantitative methods. Practical implications – Challenges in communicating the consumer benefits of packaging and ways to improve the attractiveness of items in the fresh produce category were identified. The results can potentially assist in improving food packaging design practice to the mutual benefit of consumers and suppliers. Originality/value – Fruit and vegetables is generally a category with weak branding and low levels of packaging. This study examined the role of packaging in a category with substantial opportunities for differentiation and increasing consumer value. The results can be applied in immediate practice and/or serve as a basis for further research.

The Impact of exposure to screen during COVID-19 Lockdown on the General health of students in Punjab, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
General Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dry Eyes ◽  
Mental Symptoms ◽  
The Impact

Background: Since Covid-19 was declared a pandemic and a worldwide lockdown was imposed, it was predicted that there would be an increase in screen usage, especially among students, which could potentially have a lot of negative symptomology associated with it. Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the extent of screen exposure among medical students during lockdown and to study the symptoms that they faced due to it along with their frequency. Methods: In our descriptive cross-sectional study, we distributed the specifically designed questionnaire through online media to the concerned population, in order to gather important data about the physical and mental symptoms experienced by the medical students as a result of excessive screen exposure. Results: Of the 400 participants, 93.75 % reported an increase in screen time during the lockdown. As a consequence of increased screen usage, 207 (51.75%) of the participants reported headache, 267 (66.75%) reported fatigue, 283 (70.75%) reported eye strain, 121 (30.25%) reported dry eyes, 143 (35.75%) reported blurry vision, 154 (38.5%) reported teary eyes, 154 (38.5%) reported ear ache, 247 (61.75%) reported neck and back stiffness and 148 (37%) participants agreed to having experienced fingers and hand fatigue. We also established that increasing screen time was associated with a progressive decrease in physical activity (p=0.11) and increase in food consumption (p=0.002). A significant association was also recorded with weight gain (p=0.03). We found that the students previously diagnosed with a refractive error were more likely to complain of eye strain (p=0.004) and those diagnosed with migraine experienced more screen related headache (p=0.001). Of the 11 symptoms related to mental health in the questionnaire, students with screen usage of less than 4 hours marked a median of 2 symptoms, those with screen time of 4-8 hours marked a median of 4 symptoms and those with a screen usage >8 hours ticked a median of 5 symptoms. Students who had been diagnosed with anxiety or depression in the past checked an average of 5.24 symptoms while those with no such diagnosis had only 3.51 symptoms on average. Conclusion: The results proved a potential impact on the general health of the medical students. A significant increase in weight was observed along with other serious short and long term effects on their physical and mental wellbeing.

Assessing Medicare Patients' Salient Beliefs to Improve Annual Wellness Visit Health Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-106
Author(s):  
O'neal Malcolm ◽  
Anna Nelson ◽  
Naomi N. Modeste ◽  
Paul Gavaza
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Control Factors ◽  
Salient Beliefs ◽  
Medicare Patients ◽  
Group Sessions

OBJECTIVE: To identify key beliefs that influence behavior, regarding Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) and older patients' willingness to implement personalized prevention plans.<br/> DESIGN: Cross-sectional. In-depth semi-structured focus group sessions with Medicare patients in July 2018.<br/> SETTING: Two primary care physician-based practices.<br/> INTERVENTION: A trained moderator facilitated two focus group sessions, and used open-ended questions based on the theory of planned behavior to elicit behavioral, normative, and control beliefs associated with implementing personalized prevention plans.<br/> MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Content analysis of the focus groups' transcribed data was used to identify modal salient beliefs. Transcribed focus group sessions were analyzed utilizing grounded-theory methods for emergent themes.<br/> RESULTS: A total of 13 older patients participated in the focus group sessions. Prevalent behavioral beliefs among participants influenced by patient-centered care outcomes included improvement in physical activity, adopting a healthy balanced diet, and weight loss.<br/> Interpersonal and environmental disparities influenced commonly reported control factors such as lack of support at home and affordable fitness facilities. Macro-level influences such as physicians and social marketing by insurance providers, and health partners and spousal support were identified as important normative factors.<br/> CONCLUSION: Identified salient beliefs were congruent to social determinants of health in Medicare patients. Results of the study demonstrate perceived enablers and barriers of elderly patients regarding implementing health-promoting advice. AWV pharmacists should address perceived barriers to improve attitudes and self-efficacy; and incorporate enabling beliefs into adherence strategies to improve adoption of health recommendations.

scholarly journals Young Adults, Technology, and Weight Loss: A Focus Group Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janna Stephens ◽  
Gyasi Moscou-Jackson ◽  
Jerilyn K. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Need Support ◽  
Smartphone Technology ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Weight Loss Interventions

Overweight and obesity are a major concern in young adults. Technology has been integrated into many weight loss interventions; however little is known about the use of this technology in young adults. The purpose of this study was to explore through focus group sessions the opinions of young adults on the use of technology for weight loss. A total of 17 young adults, between 18 and 25 years of age, participated in three focus group sessions. Major results indicated that young adults have very little knowledge on the use of Smartphone technology for weight loss but would like to use this type of technology to help them lose weight. Results also indicated that young adults struggle to make healthy food choices and have priorities that outweigh exercise and they need support and guidance to make better decisions. In conclusion, young adults would be open to using Smartphone technology for weight loss but also need feedback and guidance to help make healthy decisions.

scholarly journals The Association between Children’s and Parents’ Co-TV Viewing and Their Total Screen Time in Six European Countries: Cross-Sectional Data from the Feel4diabetes-Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Latomme ◽  
Vicky Van Stappen ◽  
Greet Cardon ◽  
Philip Morgan ◽  
Mina Lateva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Screen Time ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Tv Viewing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Specific Association

In many European children, high levels of screen time can be found, which is associated with several adverse health outcomes. Therefore, there is a need for identifying effective intervention strategies that reduce screen time in children. A factor that may contribute to excessive screen time in children may be “co-TV viewing” (i.e., the time that parents and children spend on watching TV together), as parents often recognize the importance of limiting children’s (individual) screen time, but often encourage TV viewing as a family because of its perceived benefits (e.g., educational purposes). The primary aim of this study was to investigate the (sex-specific) association between co-TV viewing and both children’s and parents’ screen time, and these associations were investigated across and within six European countries. In total, 10,969 parents (Meanage = 40.7 ± 5.3 years, MeanBMI = 24.4 ± 4.6) of primary school children (Meanage = 8.2 ± 1.0 years, 49.0% boys, MeanBMI = 17.3 ± 2.8) completed a questionnaire assessing co-TV viewing and screen time. Multilevel regression analyses were conducted. Across countries, positive associations were found between co-TV viewing and both children’s (β = 11.85, SE = 3.69, p < 0.001) and parents’ screen time (β = 14.47, SE = 4.43, p = 0.001). Similar associations were found in most (but not all) countries. The results suggest that targeting co-TV viewing might be a promising intervention strategy because of its potential to limit screen time of both children and parents.

scholarly journals Screen time behaviour in a sample of 11- to 12-year-old Greek-Cypriot children: A cross-sectional study of parental and child reports

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212094623
Author(s):  
Constantinos A Loucaides
Keyword(s):  
Screen Time ◽  
Television Viewing ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Time Behaviour ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Greek Cypriot ◽  
Electronic Games ◽  
Parent Child

Objective: This cross-sectional study examined the association between parental and child-reported correlates and children’s screen time. Methods: Children ( N = 154) and their parents completed questionnaires examining correlates of screen time. Children recorded the time they devoted to screen-based and study-related sedentary activities and wore a pedometer for 6 days (four weekdays and two weekend days). Parents also provided information relating to the time their children devoted to screen time. Results: Children reported significantly higher time watching television and playing electronic games as well as higher total screen time during the weekend compared to weekdays. On the contrary, they reported significantly lower time doing homework and recorded significantly lower steps during the weekend compared to weekdays. The scale ‘Parent-child Television Viewing’ yielded significant associations with both parent and child-reported total screen time and television watching. Associations ranged from r = 0.193, p < 0.05 to r = 0.599, p < 0.001. The scales ‘Child Screen Time with Friends’ and ‘Friends’ Norms for Screen Time’ demonstrated significant associations with child-reported electronic games and total screen time, and with parent-reported electronic games and computer use. Associations ranged from r = 0.180, p < 0.05 to r = 0.478, p < 0.001. Variance explained for total screen time at the multivariate level ranged from 8% to 37% with the scale ‘Parent-child Television Viewing’ having significant associations with both parent and child-reported weekday total screen time. Conclusions: Obtaining data from both parents and children may provide further understanding of screen time behaviour. While parental factors appear to be consistently associated with children’s total screen time, studies may consider focusing more on parents to reduce time spent watching television, and more on friends to limit time spent in electronic games.

scholarly journals Household chaos, family routines, and young child movement behaviors in the U.S. during the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea L. Kracht ◽  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk ◽  
Amanda E. Staiano
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Family Routines ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Household Chaos

Abstract Background The home environment is an important facilitator of young child movement behaviors, including physical activity (PA), sleep, and screen-time. Household chaos, characterized by crowding, noise, and disorder in the home, may hinder efforts to obtain adequate amounts of movement behaviors. The COVID-19 outbreak impacted many families, and social distancing during this time may create conditions for more household chaos. Family routines can help establish order in the home and encourage an appropriate balance of movement behaviors, such as less screen-time and more sleep. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between household chaos and young child movement behaviors during the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States, and the role of family routines in this relationship. Methods A national online survey including 1836 mothers of preschoolers (3.0–5.9 years) was conducted during May 2020. Mothers reported demographic characteristics, household chaos, family routines, and the preschooler’s movement behaviors during the outbreak. Mothers completed a household chaos questionnaire and were grouped into chaos categories (low, moderate/low, moderate/high, and high) for analysis. Linear regression was used to assess the association between chaos category, family routines, and movement behaviors with adjustment for covariates. Results Mothers were 35.9 ± 4.1 years of age, middle income (47.8%), and preschoolers were 3.8 ± 0.8 years of age. Most mothers reported their preschooler was less physically active (38.9%), slept the same amount of time (52.1%), and increased their screen-time (74.0%) after the COVID-19 outbreak. Preschoolers in the high chaos households performed less total PA (β = − 0.36 days/week, 95% CI:-0.62 to − 0.09, p = 0.008), slept less (β = − 0.42 h, 95% CI:-0.59 to − 0.25, p = 0.001) and had more screen-time (β = 0.69 h, 95% CI:0.45 to 0.92, p = 0.001) compared to those in low chaos households. In most chaos categories, having a bed-time ritual was related to more child sleep, and mothers who viewed routines as “less/not important” reported more preschooler screen-time compared to mothers who viewed routines as “very important”. Conclusion Promoting bed-time rituals and prioritizing routines, even somewhat, may be related to an improved balance of child movement behaviors. Innovative measures are needed to support families during periods of disruption such as that experienced in the COVID-19 pandemic.

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