Work

Calls over cuddles: Is technoference associated with lower parental warmth?

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Based on past research showing negative associations between parents' use of mobile technologies whilst parenting (so-called “technoference”) and parental responsiveness and attachment, we hypothesised negative associations of technoference and parental warmth for parents of infants. Linear regression with bootstrapping was used to test the associations of several forms of mobile phone use and self-rated parental warmth in a sample of 64 predominantly White parents of 20-month-olds. Surprisingly, higher frequencies of receiving audible notifications and checking mobile devices by parents when with their infants were statistically significantly associated with higher parental warmth. Our findings may be due to higher levels of connectedness to the outside world “spilling-over” into more positive perceptions of time spent with the child. While our novel findings suggest some potential benefits of phone use whilst parenting, this must be interpreted in the context of a range of negative developmental outcomes now associated with technoference. • More phone checks while parenting infants associated with parental warmth. • More audible notifications while parenting infants associated with parental warmth. • Connectedness arising from phone use may impact positively on parental warmth.

Source: Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology

DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2024.101740

Authors: Diana Fusha, Maria T. Corkin, Elizabeth R. Peterson, Annette M.E. Henderson

Institution: University of Auckland

Language: English

Topic: Child Development and Digital Technology

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,120