Parental Technoference and Behavioral-Emotional Development in Early Childhood: A 6-Month Prospective Study

NCT07387133 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: TEKNOFERANS-SDQ-2026EthicsNo-2026/19-Sancaktepe
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 250
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the relationship between parental technoference (parents' use of smartphones or other digital devices while spending time with their children) and behavioral and emotional development in early childhood. The study will include parents of children aged 24 to 60 months who attend a pediatric outpatient clinic. At the beginning of the study, parents will complete an online questionnaire that includes questions about their own smartphone screen time, their child's screen exposure, and standardized questionnaires assessing parental technoference and children's behavioral and emotional characteristics. Six months after the initial assessment, parents will be contacted again to complete a short follow-up questionnaire, including the behavioral and emotional assessment. The study does not involve any medical intervention or experimental treatment. All participation is voluntary, and responses will be collected anonymously. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of how parental digital device use during daily interactions may be associated with children's emotional and behavioral development in early childhood.

Conditions

Parental Technoference; Child Behavioral Problems; Emotional Development in Early Childhood

Keywords

parent-child interaction; screen time; preschool children; Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; digital media use

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Child Behavioral and Emotional Difficulties (SDQ Total Difficulties Score)

  Children's behavioral and emotional difficulties will be assessed using the parent-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The primary outcome is the SDQ Total Difficulties Score measured at baseline and at 6-month follow-up.

  Baseline and 6 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Parental Technoference Level

  Baseline

• Changes in Children's Behavioral and Emotional Characteristics Over Time

  Baseline to 6 months

• Child Screen Exposure

  Baseline and 6 months

Study Arms (1)

Parent-Child Dyads (24-60 Months)

This cohort includes parents and their children aged 24 to 60 months who attend a pediatric outpatient clinic at a tertiary training and research hospital. Participants are assessed at baseline using questionnaires evaluating parental technoference, parental and child screen time, and children's behavioral and emotional characteristics. A follow-up assessment is conducted six months later. This is an observational study, and no intervention is assigned.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 24 Months - 60 Months
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of parents and their children aged 24 to 60 months who attend a pediatric outpatient clinic at a tertiary training and research hospital.

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 24 to 60 months.
• Parent or primary caregiver able to read and understand Turkish.
• Parent uses a smartphone and can access device-based screen time information.
• Ability to complete an online questionnaire.
• Provision of written informed consent by the parent or legal guardian.
• Availability for a 6-month follow-up assessment.

You may not qualify if:

• Children with severe neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, severe intellectual disability, neurometabolic diseases).
• Parents unable to reliably complete questionnaires due to cognitive, psychiatric, or language-related limitations.
• Parents who do not use a smartphone or cannot access screen time data.
• Refusal or inability to provide informed consent.
• Inability to be contacted for follow-up assessment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sancaktepe Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Moemenbellah-Fard MD, Shahriari B, Azizi K, Fakoorziba MR, Mohammadi J, Amin M. Faunal distribution of fleas and their blood-feeding preferences using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays from farm animals and human shelters in a new rural region of southern Iran. J Parasit Dis. 2016 Mar;40(1):169-75. doi: 10.1007/s12639-014-0471-1. Epub 2014 May 25.

  PMID: 27065620 RESULT

• Goodman R. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: a research note. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1997 Jul;38(5):581-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1997.tb01545.x.

  PMID: 9255702 RESULT

Central Study Contacts

Timucin Imdadoglu, MD

CONTACT

+905357426892; dr.timucini@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Specialist in Pediatrics (MD)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 27, 2026
• First Posted: February 4, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)