Exploring the Association Between Screen Time Exposure and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Preschool-Aged Children in Sulaymaniyah
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21928/uhdjst.v9n2y2025.pp297-304Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Screen Time, Preschool Children, Neurodevelopment, ParentalAbstract
Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Recent research suggests that excessive screen time may influence ASD-related developmental patterns. This study examines the correlation between screen exposure and ASD symptoms in preschool-aged children in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on children aged 2-6 years, including both formally diagnosed ASD cases and those exhibiting ASD-related symptoms. Data collection involved structured face-to-face questionnaires adapted from previous research, covering screen time duration, content type, parent-child interactions, and ASD symptom prevalence. Statistical analyses, including Kendall’s tau-b correlation and logistic regression, were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Results: The study found that children in Sulaymaniyah engage in excessive screen exposure, averaging over four hours per day—far exceeding international recommendations. Logistic regression analysis identified screen time as a significant predictor of ASD-related symptoms (p = 0.011, Exp(B) = 6.364). Additionally, socioeconomic factors, including household income and parental education level, showed associations with screen time habits. Conclusion: Findings suggest a strong correlation between prolonged screen exposure and ASD-related behaviors in young children. Socioeconomic determinants further influence screen time regulation. These results underscore the need for parental guidance and structured screen time policies to mitigate potential neurodevelopmental impacts. Future research should explore causal relationships and intervention strategies for screen exposure management in early childhood.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Zamdar H Rasul Karim, Hawnaz Jawhar Hameed, Kazia Rizgar Latif, Lania Sardar Mahmood
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