Problematic media use and psychological adaptation in children in the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose This study was conducted to determine the problematic media use and psychological adaptation levels of children. Design and methods Parents of 685 children living in Turkey participated in the descriptive cross-sectional design study. Descriptive Characteristics Form, Problematic Media Use Measure and Hacettepe Psychological Adaptation Scale were used to collect research data. Results Problematic media use of the children is moderate. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the time spent in front of the screen in the majority of children. Psychological adaptation problem was determined in approximately one-third of children. Male gender and screen time spent affect problematic media use and psychological adaptation levels of children. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic increased the problematic media use and psychological adaptation problems of children. Practice implications It is recommended that nurses guide parents to limit children's screen time and to plan interventions to solve their psychological adaptation problems.