“If You Let Them, They Will Be on It 24 Hours a Day”: Qualitative Study Conducted in the United States Exploring Brazilian Immigrant Mothers’ Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Screen Time Behaviors of Their Preschool-Age Children

Abstract

BackgroundThe increasing prevalence of excessive screen time (ST) among children is a growing public health concern, with evidence linking it to an increased risk of overweight and obesity among children.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the beliefs, attitudes, and practices of Brazilian immigrant mothers living in the United States related to their preschool-age children’s ST behaviors.MethodsA qualitative study comprising 7 focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted with Brazilian immigrant mothers living in the United States. All FGDs were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed verbatim. The Portuguese transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsIn total, 37 women participated in the FGDs. Analyses revealed that although most mothers expressed concerns for their preschool-age children’s ST, nearly all viewed ST as an acceptable part of their children’s daily lives. Furthermore, mothers perceived that ST has more benefits than disadvantages. The mothers’ positive beliefs about (eg, educational purposes and entertainment) and perceived functional benefits of ST (eg, ability to keep children occupied so tasks can be completed and facilitation of communication with family outside the United States) contributed to their acceptance of ST for their preschool-age children. Nevertheless, most mothers spoke of needing to balance their preschool-age children’s ST with other activities. Mothers reported using several parenting practices including monitoring time and content, setting limits and having rules, and prompting their children to participate in other activities to manage their preschool-age children’s ST.ConclusionsThis study provides new information on the beliefs, attitudes, and practices of Brazilian immigrant mothers living in the United States related to their preschool-age children’s ST. Study findings revealed several potentially modifiable maternal beliefs and parenting practices that may provide important targets for parenting- and family-based interventions aimed at limiting preschool-age children’s ST.

The Evolving Family Mealtime: Findings From Focus Group Interviews With Hispanic Mothers

“…Mothers also talked about how their mealtimes when they were growing up were different and that technology presents unique problems today for connection and physical activity. Screen time is something that parents have to navigate today, and while technology carries benefits, finding a healthy balance is important to parents [ 26 ]. A mixed-methods study conducted with parents of preschoolers asked parents about their interest in technology use during mealtimes, with a focus on positive purposes such as educating children about healthy eating [ 27 ].…”

Exploring Brazilian Immigrant Mothers’ Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Their Preschool-Age Children’s Sleep and Bedtime Routines: A Qualitative Study Conducted in the United States

“…One author (ACL), a native Brazilian-Portuguese speaker and qualitative researcher, moderated all FGDs in Portuguese using a semi-structured discussion guide that explored participants’: (1) sleep-related beliefs in general and for young children; (2) attitudes toward bedtime routines; and (3) practices related to their preschool-age children’s bedtime routines. The guide also explored physical activity, and sedentary behaviors including screen time, as well as sources of information used to obtain information about these behaviors with those results reported elsewhere [ 57 , 58 ]. The guide was pilot tested in a FGD with Brazilian immigrant mothers ( n = 4) and refined before use in the current study.…”

Brazilian immigrant fathers’ perspectives on child’s eating and feeding practices: a qualitative study conducted in the United States

“…The present qualitative study was part of a larger ongoing mixed-methods research study with Brazilian immigrant families living in Massachusetts (to date 233 unique families) examining parenting styles and parenting practices relating to the risk of early childhood obesity (e.g. promoting healthy eating, physical activity and adequate sleep, as well as limiting screen time) (46)(47)(48)(49)(50) .…”

“…Fathers were eligible to participate in the current study if they: (i) had at least one child aged 2-5 years, (ii) were of Brazilian ethnicity and born in Brazil, (iii) were ≥21 years of age, (iv) lived in Massachusetts, (v) had lived in the USA for at least 12 months and (vi) provided signed informed consent. Fathers were recruited for the current study using the same methods employed in the larger ongoing mixedmethods research study (46)(47)(48)(49)(50) . More specifically, purposive sampling was used to recruit a convenience sample of fathers through flyers posted at local Brazilian businesses and community-based social and health services agencies, and through announcements and events at predominant Brazilian churches.…”

“…More specifically, purposive sampling was used to recruit a convenience sample of fathers through flyers posted at local Brazilian businesses and community-based social and health services agencies, and through announcements and events at predominant Brazilian churches. Interested participants called the telephone number listed on the flyer or spoke to study staff at church events (46)(47)(48)(49)(50) . Participants also were recruited through network sampling, a 'word-of-mouth' approach of acquiring participants (56) .…”