Abstract
Purpose: The increasing use of digital devices among children has raised concerns regarding their potential impact on child well-being and family functioning. Prolonged screen exposure has been linked to behavioural issues, sleep disturbances, reduced physical activity, and psychosocial difficulties, which may contribute to increased parenting-related stress. However, limited research has explored the relationship between children’s screen exposure and parental stress. This study aimed to examine the association between children’s screen exposure and parental stress among parents of primary school children. Method: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 45 parents of primary school children aged 6–12 years enrolled at Vels Vidhyashram School. Children’s screen exposure was assessed using a structured parent-reported questionnaire documenting screen use during the previous week. Parental stress was measured using the Parenting Daily Hassles (PDH) Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlation. Results: The mean screen exposure value was 4.00 ± 0.83, and the mean PDH score was 52.58 ± 13.72. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between children’s screen exposure and parental stress (ρ = 0.377, p = 0.011), indicating that higher reported screen exposure was associated with greater parental stress. Conclusions: Increased screen exposure among primary school children was associated with higher parental stress. These findings emphasize the importance of encouraging balanced screen-use behaviours and supporting parents in managing children’s digital device habits.
Acknowledgements
The authors express their sincere gratitude to Vels Vidhyashram School for granting permission to conduct this study. We also extend our thanks to the School of Physiotherapy, VELS Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), for their academic support and guidance. Special appreciation is given to the children and their parents for their cooperation and participation in this research.
Recommended Citation
S M, Arumugam K, R S, Selvam S, Manoharan MB. Relationship Between Children’s Screen Exposure and Stress Among Parents of Primary School Children. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2026 Sep 01;24(3), Article 19.
