Family relationships in the digital age: The impact of problematic screen use on parent–adolescent relationships

Abstract

Objective: Problematic screen use (PSU) in adolescence has been linked to impaired well-being, but its associations with parent–adolescent relationship quality remain insufficiently characterized. This study examined whether PSU levels were associated with positive relationship, negative relationship, and openness dimensions in mother– and father–adolescent relationships. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 196 adolescents aged 11–18 years who presented to a pediatric outpatient clinic. Data were collected using a Sociodemographic Information Form, the Child–Adolescent Digital Addiction Scale, and the Parent–Adolescent Relationship Quality Scale. Group differences were evaluated using appropriate non-parametric statistical methods. Results: The mean age of the participants was 14.29±2.21 years, and 59.7% were female. Positive relationship with mother scores differed significantly across PSU groups (p=0.029), with post hoc analysis indicating a difference primarily between healthy users and adolescents in the digital addiction group. Negative relationship with mother scores also differed significantly (p<0.001), with healthy users scoring lower than those in the excessive use and digital addiction groups. Paternal openness (p=0.007), positive relationship with father (p = 0.038), and negative relationship with father (p=0.012) also varied significantly across groups, whereas maternal openness showed a borderline association (p=0.055). Conclusion: Higher PSU was associated with poorer parent–adolescent relationship quality, particularly in the domains of conflict and positive relational functioning. These findings suggest that assessment of adolescent PSU should incorporate family relational processes, especially trust-based communication and parent–adolescent conflict.