Data_Sheet_1_Concurrent and longitudinal associations between touchscreen use and executive functions at preschool-age.PDF

IntroductionThe prevalence of touchscreen devices has recently risen amongst young children. Some evidence suggests that increased touchscreen use may be negatively related to preschool-age children's executive functions (EFs). However, it has been argued that actively interacting with touchscreen devices (e.g., via creative apps for drawing) could better support EF development compared to passive use (e.g., watching videos). There is a pressing need to understand whether the type of use can explain potential associations between touchscreen use and EF.
MethodsBy following up longitudinally on an infant sample, now aged 42-months (N = 101), the current study investigates the relative contributions of passive and active touchscreen use, measured concurrently at 42-months and longitudinally from 10-to-42-months, on parent-reported EFs.
ResultsA multivariate multiple regression found no significant negative associations between touchscreen use and preschool EF. There was a significant positive association between active touchscreen use at 42-months and the BRIEF-P Flexibility Index.
DiscussionThe lack of significant negative associations found is consistent with an earlier study's findings in the same sample at infancy, suggesting that the moderate levels of early touchscreen use in this sample are not significantly associated with poorer EF, at least up to preschool-age.

引言
近年来，触摸屏设备在低龄儿童群体中的普及率持续攀升。多项研究证据显示，触摸屏设备使用时长的增加可能与学龄前儿童的执行功能（Executive Functions，EFs）存在负相关关系。但也有观点认为，与被动使用（如观看视频）相比，主动操作触摸屏设备（例如通过创意绘画类应用）能更有效地促进执行功能的发育。因此，亟需明确使用类型是否可以解释触摸屏设备使用与执行功能之间的潜在关联。

方法
本研究对当前年龄为42个月的婴儿队列（N=101）开展纵向追踪，旨在探究被动与主动触摸屏设备使用对家长报告的执行功能评估结果的相对贡献。其中，触摸屏使用行为的测量分为两类：一类为42个月时的同期测量，另一类为10个月至42个月的纵向追踪测量。

结果
多元多重回归分析结果显示，触摸屏设备总使用时长与学龄前儿童执行功能之间未发现显著负相关关系；但42个月时测量的主动触摸屏设备使用行为与学龄前执行功能行为评定量表（BRIEF-P）灵活性指数呈显著正相关。

讨论
本研究未发现显著负相关的结果，与此前针对该队列婴儿阶段的研究结果一致。这表明本队列中儿童早期适度的触摸屏设备使用行为，至少在学龄前阶段，与较差的执行功能水平无显著关联。