The relationship between media in the home and family functioning in context of leisure

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between media-based family leisure and family functioning. Because the sample (n = 500) included responses from parents and children (ages 11 to 16) from each family, mixed models were used to account for family-level and individual-level variance. Findings Indicated a negative relationship between media use and family functioning; media connection and parental media monitoring were positively related to family functioning. This was stable over time even when accounting for variance explained by depression, anxiety, conflict, and other demographic variables. The mixed linear model analysis and use of longitudinal data add to existing research. Current findings suggest parental involvement In adolescent media use is the most important factor in explaining variance in family functioning.