Children and television watching: A qualitative study of New Zealand parents' perceptions and views
Research Abstract
posted by Research Admin on 26 April 2012
Authors
Enid M. Dorey
Vaughan Roberts
Ralph Maddison
Patricia Meagher-Lundberg
Robyn Dixon
Cliona Ni Mhurchu
Year of Publication
2010
Source
Child: Care, Health and Development, 36, (3), 414–420.
Publication Type
Journal article (peer reviewed)
Publication Status
Completed
Abstract
Television viewing is one of the most pervasive sedentary pursuits among children and adolescents. Research studies have shown that higher TV viewing hours are associated with a number of negative effects such as being overweight and obese, attention and behavioural problems, and impaired academic performance. This study examined New Zealand parents' perceptions of their children's TV watching, by exploring attitudes towards TV viewing, strategies used to reduce viewing, and opinions on two different electronic monitors that could be used to restrict TV viewing. The results of the analysis found that parents described TV as playing a dominant role in their family's lives, and highlighted several barriers to reducing children's TV viewing, such as parents not willing to reduce their own TV watching, a lack of safe alternatives to TV and the need to use TV as a babysitting tool. The study also found that attitudes towards electronic monitor use to reduce TV viewing were mixed, but suggest further investigation of these devices is needed.
Type of Study
Qualitative, Analysis
How to Access
To read the full abstract, and for information on how to access the full text, go to: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.01031.x/abstract or contact your local or organisational library for assistance.