How Do ADHD-Related Behaviors Predict Children’s Use of and Responses to Television?

• In Event: Recent Discoveries on the Relationship Between Media Use and ADHD

Abstract

This study examined how attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behaviors predict children’s overall amount of television viewing, specific content viewing and attention and arousal when viewing television. Additionally, we explored the moderating role of children’s sex in the aforementioned relationships. To address these aims, parents of 865 children (3-7 years) kept four-day television diaries and completed a measure of ADHD-related behaviors. We found that ADHD-related behaviors were associated with more overall viewing and violent and scary content viewing, but this association only applied to boys. ADHD-related behaviors were not related to educational content viewing. Additionally, ADHD-related behaviors were related to increased arousal when viewing television, no matter the content. Finally, ADHD-related behaviors were associated with reduced attention to television in general and to educational content, but these behaviors were not associated with reduced attention to violent or scary content.

Authors

• Sanne Nikkelen, U of Amsterdam

• Helen Vossen, U of Amsterdam