INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 10 Program Schedule 02/17/2024 09:00 am - 10:15 am Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120) Poster Session 10: Neurodevelopmental \| Congenital Conditions Final Abstract #62 Impact of Inattention on Problematic Screen Media Use Among Children and Youth with Early Neurological Risk vs. ADHD: A Comparative Study Rachael Lyon, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada Elizabeth Wanstall, York University, Toronto, Canada Tricia Williams, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada Maggie Toplak, York University, Toronto, Canada Category: Acquired Brain Injury (TBI/Cerebrovascular Injury and Disease - Child) Keyword 1: attention Keyword 2: brain injury Keyword 3: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Objective: Problematic screen media use (PSMU) is defined as excessive use of screen-based activities (e.g., computer, tablet, phone, gaming console) that interferes with a child's social, behavioural, and/or academic development. Children with attention difficulties may be particularly prone to excessive, as well as problematic screen media use. One of the most commonly discussed groups at-risk are those with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It has also been well-documented that children with early neurological risk (e.g., stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, congenital heart disease, etc.) are more likely to experience secondary attention difficulties. Despite being at-risk for inattention symptoms, PSMU has not been systemically investigated in children and youth with early neurological risk. Participants and Methods: Two samples of parent participants of children between 6 and 18 years were recruited. One sample of parents of children with neurological risk sample were recruited from the neonatal, neurology, psychiatry, or cardiology clinics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids; n=65). A second sample of parents of children with ADHD were recruited through the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC; n=59). It was predicted that higher inattention symptoms/concerns would correspond to higher scores on the Problematic Media Use Measure (PMUM). Results: PMUM total scores were significantly higher among the ADHD group, t (122) = 7.19, p< .001 (CADDAC: M=95.15, SD=16.9; SickKids: M=66.91, SD=25.5). A linear regression model using combined sample data was estimated using ordinary least squares. PMUM total score was regressed on SNAP-IV inattention score, child age and child sex simultaneously. This analysis explained a significant portion of variance in PMUM score, R² = .349, F (3, 148) = 26.44, p < .001. Inattention (B = .45, t (148) = 6.53, p < .001) and age (B = .26, t (148) = 3.80, p < .001) were both significant. Sex was not associated with PMUM. Conclusions: Findings are consistent with prior research indicating children and youth with attentional difficulties (e.g., ADHD) have increased problems related to their screen media use. Importantly, increased impairment was associated with age, such that older youth were rated as having more problems related to screen media use, even while controlling for parent-rated inattention. Preliminary results suggest the clinical need for early intervention around PSMU among children and youth with attentional difficulties.

Poster

02/17/2024
09:00 am - 10:15 am
Room: Majestic Complex (Posters 61-120)

Poster Session 10: Neurodevelopmental | Congenital Conditions

Final Abstract #62

Impact of Inattention on Problematic Screen Media Use Among Children and Youth with Early Neurological Risk vs. ADHD: A Comparative Study

Rachael Lyon, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
Elizabeth Wanstall, York University, Toronto, Canada
Tricia Williams, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
Maggie Toplak, York University, Toronto, Canada

Category: Acquired Brain Injury (TBI/Cerebrovascular Injury and Disease - Child)

Keyword 1: attention
Keyword 2: brain injury
Keyword 3: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objective:

Problematic screen media use (PSMU) is defined as excessive use of screen-based activities (e.g., computer, tablet, phone, gaming console) that interferes with a child's social, behavioural, and/or academic development. Children with attention difficulties may be particularly prone to excessive, as well as problematic screen media use. One of the most commonly discussed groups at-risk are those with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It has also been well-documented that children with early neurological risk (e.g., stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, congenital heart disease, etc.) are more likely to experience secondary attention difficulties. Despite being at-risk for inattention symptoms, PSMU has not been systemically investigated in children and youth with early neurological risk.

Participants and Methods:

Two samples of parent participants of children between 6 and 18 years were recruited. One sample of parents of children with neurological risk sample were recruited from the neonatal, neurology, psychiatry, or cardiology clinics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids; n=65). A second sample of parents of children with ADHD were recruited through the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC; n=59). It was predicted that higher inattention symptoms/concerns would correspond to higher scores on the Problematic Media Use Measure (PMUM).

Results:

PMUM total scores were significantly higher among the ADHD group, t (122) = 7.19, p< .001 (CADDAC: M=95.15, SD=16.9; SickKids: M=66.91, SD=25.5). A linear regression model using combined sample data was estimated using ordinary least squares. PMUM total score was regressed on SNAP-IV inattention score, child age and child sex simultaneously. This analysis explained a significant portion of variance in PMUM score, R² = .349, F (3, 148) = 26.44, p < .001. Inattention (B = .45, t (148) = 6.53, p < .001) and age (B = .26, t (148) = 3.80, p < .001) were both significant. Sex was not associated with PMUM.

Conclusions:

Findings are consistent with prior research indicating children and youth with attentional difficulties (e.g., ADHD) have increased problems related to their screen media use. Importantly, increased impairment was associated with age, such that older youth were rated as having more problems related to screen media use, even while controlling for parent-rated inattention. Preliminary results suggest the clinical need for early intervention around PSMU among children and youth with attentional difficulties.