Young Children and Screens: Parents' Perspectives and Child Health Nurses' Approaches in a Digital Age

This study investigates screen habits among children aged 0-5 years and their parents, as well as child health nurses' experiences with screen-related guidance and digital health advisory services within Swedish Child Health Care (CHC). The study is grounded in the WHO framework on social determinants of health (1), recognizing that screen use is influenced by individual, familial, and societal factors.

Study Design and Methodology:

A mixed-methods design is employed. The quantitative component consists of a cross-sectional survey (N=300) using a modified version of the SCREEN-Q instrument (2), adapted for Swedish conditions. Psychometric validation will include translation/back-translation, expert review, pilot testing, factor analysis, and reliability testing (Cronbach's alpha). Data will be collected digitally and via paper forms through local Child Health Care centers across three regions in Sweden.

The qualitative component includes two semi-structured interview studies with parents (N=10-15 per sub-study) and focus group discussions with child health nurses (N=15-24 total). These will explore attitudes toward screen use, perceptions of parental roles, and experiences with digital health services. Interviews and discussions will be recorded and transcribed for analysis.

Data Management and Quality Assurance:

All survey data will be stored in REDCap at Karolinska Institutet, locked by passwords. Paper surveys will be stored in locked cabinets. Data validation procedures include automated range and consistency checks. Manual review will be performed for flagged entries. A data dictionary will be developed for all variables, including coding schemes and definitions.

Source data verification will be conducted by comparing survey responses with recruitment logs and consent forms. No external medical records will be used.

Within the project there will be step-by-step procedures to guide how participants are recruited, how informed consent is collected, and how data is gathered, entered, and analyzed. These procedures will also include instructions for handling any unexpected changes in the study or any other issues that may arise.

Sample Size and Statistical Analysis:

A sample size of 300 was determined based on a medium effect size (Cohen's d = 0.5), α = 0.05, and power = 80% (3), sufficient for psychometric validation and subgroup analyses.

Quantitative data will be analyzed using SPSS. Analyses include descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square tests, and regression analyses to examine relationships between screen use and background variables. Psychometric validation will include exploratory factor analysis and reliability testing.

Qualitative data will be analyzed using Thematic/content analyses to identify themes and patterns related to screen use and digital health service experiences.

Missing Data Plan:

Missing data will be handled using multiple imputation techniques for quantitative analysis. For qualitative data, incomplete transcripts will be excluded from thematic coding. All procedures will follow ethical guidelines and data protection regulations.

Inclusion criteria

• Parents whose child/children is/are registered in the Swedish Child Health Care center(s) that participate in the study and that have at least one child at age 0-5 yrs.
• Child health nurses working in the Swedish Child Health Care center(s) that participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Parent not having children registered in the participating health care centers at age 0-5 yrs.
• Child health nurses not working at the participating child health centers.