Screen usage and family functioning as predictors of phonological development in children: a secondary analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore predictors of phonological development in preschool children related to family functioning and digital device usage. METHOD: This cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study reports a secondary analysis of data from a larger study including 93 parent-child dyads. Children (mean age = 57.01 ± 9.95 months) were predominantly girls and native speakers of European Portuguese.Phonological development and family functioning were assessed using standardised instruments and parents reported their own and their child's digital device use. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses showed that higher family enmeshment (β = -0.309), greater parental smartphone use outside working hours (β = -0.286), and child tablet use at night (β = -0.234) were associated with lower phonetic-phonological test standardised scores. Allowing tablet use at any time of the day, particularly on weekends, was positively associated with PCC (β = 0.222). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of considering family functioning and digital device usage when assessing early phonological outcomes and when designing preventive and family-based interventions.