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Executive function and screen‐based media use in preschool children
Author(s) -
Jusienė Roma,
Rakickienė Lauryna,
Breidokienė Rima,
Laurinaitytė Ilona
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
infant and child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.87
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1522-7219
pISSN - 1522-7227
DOI - 10.1002/icd.2173
Subject(s) - screen time , psychology , inhibitory control , working memory , executive functions , developmental psychology , cognition , set (abstract data type) , attentional control , physical activity , medicine , neuroscience , computer science , physical medicine and rehabilitation , programming language
The aim of this study was to explore associations between time spent using various media devices and executive abilities in preschoolers. Participants were 190 children (44.2% female; mean age 58.75 months, SD = 7.27). The Shape School, the Missing Scan and the Head and Feet tasks were administered to children to assess three core executive functions (mental set shifting, working memory, and inhibitory control). Parents provided information on the daily time children spent watching television and using smartphones, tablets, and computers. Parental education was also taken into consideration. Results of multiple linear regression analysis revealed that separate executive abilities were not predicted by use of any type of screen. To conclude, our findings suggest that screen time is not related to executive functions in typically developing low social risk preschoolers who are not overusing screens. Highlights This study explored the links between time spent using various screen‐media devices and executive abilities in four‐ and five‐year‐olds. TV, computer, smartphone and tablet use were not related to inhibitory control, working memory and shifting in preschoolers from low‐risk backgrounds. Future research should take into consideration screen exposure time and content, and analyse relationships between screen use and executive functions longitudinally.