Background: Intense or problematic media use behavior of parents could serve as a role model for their children’s media use behavior. So far, knowledge is scarce about increased children’s media use (ICMU) and its association with parental stress (PS) and problematic parental media use (PPMU). Methods: ICMU was examined using a modified set of the DSM-5 criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder. PS was assessed via the widely used Parenting Stress Index, and PPMU was assessed using the Short Compulsive Internet Use Scale. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the links between ICMU, PS, and PPMU. A mediation analysis was performed to examine if PPMU mediated the relationship between PS and ICMU. Results: In sum, 809 parents (M = 36.89 years; SD = 4.87; 81.4% female) of preschool children (average age: 44.75 months, SD = 13.68) participated in the study. ICMU was statistically significantly related to higher age of the parent, greater PPMU, and higher PS. Furthermore, we found that the association between PS and ICMU was partially mediated by PPMU. Conclusions: The results indicate that more pronounced PS and PPMU are associated with ICMU, highlighting the necessity of considering these parental variables when developing early prevention strategies for preschool-age children.

We decided to develop a short-form of the CHC-SUN/YHC-SUN, a questionnaire aiming at assessing health care satisfaction of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions. Data analysis was based on samples from three different studies. Item selection involved statistical analysis and expert consensus. For independent validation purposes, we calculated descriptive statistics on single-item and composite-scale levels and applied classic test theory, confirmatory factor analyses, and correlation analysis to investigate the psychometric properties of the final short-form by different types of reliability and validity. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha) reached values of a = 0.89 (self-report) and a = 0.92 (parents report), split-half reliability values reached 0.85 (self-report) and 0.91 (parents report). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated no sufficient fit for the single factor solution, whereas the solution with three factors and one higher order factor indicated the best overall fit amongst three competing models. Validity of the short-form measure can be assumed, e.g., as indicated by its association with a single-item measure on general health care satisfaction. The short-form measures of the CHC-SUN for parents (CHC-SUN-SF) and the YHC-SUN self-report version for adolescents (YHC-SUN-SF) feature excellent psychometric performances, provide economical assessments, and are easy-to-administer questionnaires. They should be used whenever brief measures are needed for economic reasons.

Background: Today, the use of digital media is already present at an early stage in the lives of children. Even preschool children can already develop increased digital media use (IDMU). Empirical findings indicate associations of IDMU with several problems in psychosocial development. Therefore, it seems important to identify IDMU early, but there are very few specific approaches for preschool children. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate a newly developed brief screening instrument (based on DSM-5 criteria) named the IDMUQ (an abbreviation for “Increased Digital Media Use Questionnaire”). Methods: We investigated two samples, consisting of 341 parents and of 809 parents, with the IDMUQ, the Short CIUS, and the Parenting Stress Index. Data on screen time and sociodemographic aspects were also collected. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) as well as reliability and correlation analyses. Results: The findings of both the EFA and the CFA support a one-dimensional structure for the IDMUQ. The reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha values) were 0.74 and 0.86. We observed first indications of criterion validity for the IDMUQ as well as correlations between parenting stress and IDMU. Conclusions: The results indicate that the IDMUQ, with its four items, is a promising screening tool to measure IDMU in preschool children.