Relationship between Mother's emotional intelligence, negative parenting behaviour, Preschooler's attachment instability, and smart device overdependence.

BACKGROUND: As smart device overdependence among preschoolers could adversely affect their overall development, it is essential to understand the related factors of such overdependence. Mothers have a large influence on preschoolers; however,, the relationship between mothers' emotional intelligence, negative parenting behaviour, preschoolers' attachment instability, and smart device overdependence remain unclear. This study aims to develop and test a structural model to explain smart device overdependence among preschoolers. METHODS: The study collects and analyses data from January to May 2021 from 283 mothers raising children aged 3-6 years in South Korea. Questionnaires regarding mothers' emotional intelligence and negative parenting behaviour, as well as preschoolers' attachment instability and smart device overdependence, were used to collect data. The data were analysed by SPSS23.0 and AMOS 23.0 software and a structural equation model was constructed; p ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: Mothers' emotional intelligence had a direct negative relationship with mothers' negative parenting behaviour (ß = - 0.44) and an indirect negative relationship with preschoolers' attachment instability (ß = - 0.25) and preschoolers' smart device overdependence (ß = - 0.24). Mothers' negative parenting behaviour had a direct positive relationship with preschoolers' attachment instability (ß = 0.56) and both direct and indirect positive relationships with preschoolers' smart device overdependence (ß = 0.55). Preschoolers' attachment instability had a direct positive relationship with preschoolers's smart device overdependence (ß = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS: Mothers' emotional intelligence, negative parenting behaviour, and preschoolers' attachment instability are associated with preschoolers' vulnerability to smart device overdependence. These results are shown that more attention is needed to these variables in order to reduce preschoolers' overdependence on smart devices. Additionally, we propose to develop and provide interventions based on these results.

The Development of a Health Promotion Program for Unmarried Mothers Living in Residential Facilities Using Urban Forests: An Intervention Mapping Approach Based on the Transtheoretical Model.

Unmarried mothers living in residential facilities (UMLFs) in Korea face complex and challenging physical, psychological, and socioeconomic issues. This study developed a physical and mental health promotion program using urban forests for UMLFs based on the transtheoretical model and evidence. We utilized an intervention mapping approach (IMA) and assessed the needs of UMLFs by analyzing previous quantitative studies. Moreover, we conducted a qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study involving nine participants. Based on the needs assessment, important and changeable determinants were identified; further, the program performance and change objectives were classified to achieve the program goals and establish the intervention strategy. We found that physical activity using forests, self-reflection using metaphors, five-sense activities, achievement activities using natural objects, building interpersonal relationships in the forest, and designing future plans, are desirable methods for improving the health of UMLFs. The IMA was deemed appropriate for the systematic development of health promotion programs for UMLFs through clear links among change objectives, theoretical methods, and practice strategies. These results should be applied to future intervention studies.