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Changes in Families’ Leisure, Educational/Work and Social Screen Time Behaviours before and during COVID-19 in Australia: Findings from the Our Life at Home Study

Author

Listed:
  • Lauren Arundell

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Jenny Veitch

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Shannon Sahlqvist

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Riaz Uddin

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Nicola D. Ridgers

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Jo Salmon

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Anna Timperio

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Kate Parker

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

Abstract

This study aimed to understand differences in leisure, educational/work and social screen time behaviours experienced by parents and children due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, which may inform behaviour change strategies and policy in the transition to a COVID-normal life. Participants in the “Our Life at Home” study ( n = 218 parents from Australia, 43.4 ± 6.8 years, 88% female) completed a cross-sectional online survey in April/May 2020. Parents recalled their own and their child (8.7 ± 2.0 years, 42% female) or adolescents (15.0 ± 1.5 years, 50% female) participation in nine screen time behaviours in the past month (during lockdown) and retrospectively for February 2020 (pre-lockdown), providing data on 436 individuals. Screen time behaviours included leisure (computer/laptop and tablet/smartphone for leisure, TV/videos/DVDs and game consoles); education/work (computer/laptop and tablet/smartphone for work/education); and social screen time (computer/tablet/smartphone for social communication with friends, family and work (parents only)). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and effect sizes ( r ) compared the time spent in each behaviour pre-lockdown and during lockdown. Large differences were observed in social (parents: r = 0.41–0.57; children: r = 0.55–0.65; adolescents: r = 0.28–0.43) and education (children: r = 0.50–0.65 and adolescents: r = 0.25–0.37) behaviours. There were small or no differences in leisure time screen use. COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have impacted parent’s and children’s screen time, and future research and policy should consider strategies to support families to manage screen time.

Suggested Citation

  • Lauren Arundell & Jenny Veitch & Shannon Sahlqvist & Riaz Uddin & Nicola D. Ridgers & Jo Salmon & Anna Timperio & Kate Parker, 2021. "Changes in Families’ Leisure, Educational/Work and Social Screen Time Behaviours before and during COVID-19 in Australia: Findings from the Our Life at Home Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-10, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11335-:d:666982
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrea Nathan & Phoebe George & Michelle Ng & Elizabeth Wenden & Pulan Bai & Zino Phiri & Hayley Christian, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Western Australian Children’s Physical Activity and Screen Time," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Lauren Arundell & Kate Parker & Jo Salmon & Jenny Veitch & Anna Timperio, 2019. "Informing Behaviour Change: What Sedentary Behaviours Do Families Perform at Home and How Can They Be Targeted?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Lauren Arundell & Jo Salmon & Jenny Veitch & Anna Timperio, 2019. "The Relationship between Objectively Measured and Self-Reported Sedentary Behaviours and Social Connectedness among Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-11, January.
    4. Brooke E. Wagner & Amanda L. Folk & Samantha L. Hahn & Daheia J. Barr-Anderson & Nicole Larson & Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, 2021. "Recreational Screen Time Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.: A Mixed-Methods Study among a Diverse Population-Based Sample of Emerging Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.
    5. Jacob Meyer & Cillian McDowell & Jeni Lansing & Cassandra Brower & Lee Smith & Mark Tully & Matthew Herring, 2020. "Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Response to COVID-19 and Their Associations with Mental Health in 3052 US Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
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