None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to provide understanding of parenting interventions for IGD by providing such an intervention and then testing its effect using a range of measures around the child’s functioning and wellbeing pre- during- and post intervention. The current study will also provide specific data on an Australian population, and examine possible cultural differences in such interventions. In addition, given the rapid advances in technology over the last 5-10 years (smartphone capabilities, devices in schools, faster internet speeds, new video game development etc), this study would provide clarity around the efficacy of assisting parents with technical advice around managing screen and internet access. Finally, whilst physical monitoring of screen time is a common strategy for parents of younger children, it becomes untenable and combative when applied in adolescents. This study will emphasise a model of monitoring internet access as opposed to screen access, and to our knowledge this key differentiation has not been explored to date. Hypotheses: 1. That parents who are able to implement the model for 6 weeks post intervention, compared to those parents who didn’t implement the strategies, will report a decrease in child screen use and an overall increase in their child’s wellbeing as measured by reduced family conflict, improved behaviour, sleep, exercise, social engagement with peers and schoolwork. 2. That children with high levels of problematic screen-use prior to intervention will report an initial increase in family conflict followed by a steady reduction once the parent strategies are in place.
Interventions
Parents attending a 90 minute parent seminar at their local school will be invited to participate (opt-in) to the proposed study. The seminar will provide psycho-education on screens and gaming as well as parent strategies to manage this in the family. The session is delivered by a registered psychologist and expert in the field from the Screens & Gaming Disorder Clinic. If they elect to opt in they will be given a link or QR code to complete the pre-treatment survey before the parent seminar ta
Parents attending a 90 minute parent seminar at their local school will be invited to participate (opt-in) to the proposed study. The seminar will provide psycho-education on screens and gaming as well as parent strategies to manage this in the family. The session is delivered by a registered psychologist and expert in the field from the Screens & Gaming Disorder Clinic. If they elect to opt in they will be given a link or QR code to complete the pre-treatment survey before the parent seminar takes place. Those parents who participate will receive free access to a series of short parent education video modules delivered by Brad Marshall (co-author of this study and Registered Psychologist). Part One of the series will provide psychoeducation around screen addiction and identify psychological “underpinnings” associated with overuse. Part Two outlines the seven-step model for parent intervention outlined in the parenting book The Tech Diet for your Child and Teen (Marshall, 2019). These strategies involve parents focusing on managing WIFI connection to devices as opposed to traditional advice on "taking" a physical screen. The strategies also outline how to negotiate and agree on a WIFI screen daily plan with their child. All modules are available immediately, with access granted from the first time the parent logs onto the website. In the first two weeks parents are asked to watch the video series that is approximately 90 minutes in length and platform that hosts the video series tracks whether a participant has watched the video which allows for measuring treatment compliance. Parents will then be asked to implement these strategies at home over a 6-week period.
Sponsors
Macquarie University
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
All participants of this study will be parents/guardians who are recruited via their voluntary attendance at a school parent seminar. These parents/guardians will self-identify as having at least one child with what they consider "problematic" screen/gaming use or parents that identify wanting to help their child find a healthy screens/gaming balance.
Exclusion criteria
Those who are seeking assistance for children outside of school-age (5-18 years) will be excluded as these are "parent management strategies" that are not designed for parents young adults.
Outcome results
None listed