Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

Fall 11-25-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

December 2025

Department

Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Nancy Aaron Jones

Abstract

The present study examines the relationship between screen exposure behaviors and toddler internalizing behaviors, with sleep behaviors being observed as a moderator. The study emphasizes the need for continued research to adapt to the ever-changing nature of the daily use of screens during toddlerhood and early childhood. Fifty-seven mothers of two-year-old children participated in one-on-one parent-report only, interviewer-based quantitative interviews discussing their child’s internalizing and sleep behaviors. Participants were also asked to fill out a questionnaire about their child’s screen exposure behaviors. It was hypothesized that (1) higher levels of screen exposure behaviors will result in increased internalizing behaviors, (2) sleep behaviors will moderate the relationship between screen and internalizing behaviors, and (3) parent-child interactivity during screen viewing will influence the presence of internalizing behaviors. Screen behaviors did not significantly predict internalizing behavior, yet the analyses showed a trend towards increased internalizing behavior levels as the child’s screen behaviors increased. Findings also demonstrated that sleep is a moderator, showing that as sleep problems increase, it decreases the relationship between screen and internalizing behaviors. Lastly, interactivity levels and internalizing behaviors were not related. The current study demonstrates the complexities of the constantly developing nature of screens’ influence on early childhood.

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