Validating the Problematic Media Use Measure in Preschool-Aged Children: Associations With Children's Screen Media Use, Bothersome Pestering to Use Screen Media, and Emotional Self-Regulation

Screen media use, and particularly mobile device use, is frequent among preschool-age children. Studies support that problematic media use (PMU) symptoms are present among older children (4-11-year-olds) and toddlers, and PMU correlates with child temperament and parenting around child media use. We examined the performance of a widely used PMU measure among a sample of 85 3-5-year-old children to document whether variation in PMU exists in this age group and whether this PMU measure specifically has face validity relative to expected correlates of PMU. To address our study goals, we completed a confirmatory factor analysis of the PMU scale and compared PMU scores with child externalizing behaviors when parents set limits on the child's media use and three measures of child self-regulation (emotional self-regulation, attentional focusing, and inhibitory control). Results supported a one-factor construct of PMU, and PMU was positively related to greater screen time among children. Results further documented strong associations between PMU and more extreme child behaviors when limits were set on media (e.g., more bothersome pestering, crying, whining, and physical gestures). Additionally, PMU related to less emotional self-regulation among children. Overall, findings support the validity of the PMU measure in preschool-age children and confirm associations around child media use behaviors and temperament. The implications related to media parenting are discussed.