Mediating Role of Parent-Child Communication Between Parents’ Awareness of Their Children’s Technology Use and Parenting Stress

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating role of parent-child communication in the relationship between parents’ awareness of their children’s technology use and parenting stress based on Parental Mediation Theory. A correlational research design, involving a sample of 545 parents, was used. Data were collected using the Parent-Child Communication Scale, Parent Stress Scale, Parent Awareness Scale for Primary School Students’ Technology Use (PASCTU), and a demographic information form. The PASCTU comprises four subscales: Security, Development, Control, and Utilization. The findings revealed that parent-child communication significantly mediated the relationship between the security, development, and control subscales of the PASCTU and parenting stress. However, there was no mediation effect on the utilization subscale. These findings have important implications in interventions aimed at reducing parental stress. This study contributes to the growing body of the literature on family communication, technology use, and parental well-being, offering valuable insights for both practitioners and researchers.