The effect of parental self-efficacy perception and stress level on digital parenting awareness

The main aim of this research is to examine the predictive role of parental competence perception and stress levels on digital parenting awareness. Additionally, the study investigates variations within the variables of gender, age, educational background, number of children, average screen time of parents, daily technology usage of children, and the gender of children. The study group consists of a total of 344 parents, including 246 mothers and 95 fathers, who have children in primary school during the 2022-2023 academic year. Participants were administered a 'Demographic Information Form', 'Parenting Stress Scale', 'Parental Competence Scale', and 'Digital Parenting Awareness Scale' prepared by the researcher. Independent sample t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses were used for the analysis of the research data. According to the findings obtained from the research, a negative relationship was found between parental stress and the subdimensions of digital parenting awareness, namely risk prevention and efficient use; while a positive relationship was found between digital neglect and negative role modeling dimensions. Additionally, a positive relationship was found between parental competence and protection from risks and efficient usage dimensions, while a negative relationship was found between digital neglect and negative modeling dimensions. It was concluded that parental stress negatively predicted the protection from risks and efficient usage dimension and positively predicted the negative modeling and digital neglect dimensions, while parental competence perception positively predicted the protection from risks and efficient usage dimension and negatively predicted the negative modeling dimension. Finally, it was determined that the scores obtained from the relevant scales differed significantly according to some demographic variables. The findings of the research were discussed within the framework of the literature, and recommendations believed to be useful for mental health professionals working with parents and researchers were provided.