Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5559/di.34.1.04
Some Aspects of Middle Childhood in Croatia and Well-Being of Children from a Parental Perspective
Marina Kotrla Topić
orcid.org/0000-0001-9829-3056
; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Marina Perković Kovačević
orcid.org/0000-0002-9616-1719
; Clinical Hospital Centre Osijek, Department of Clinical Psychology, Osijek, Croatia
Ana-Marija Čango
orcid.org/0009-0009-7274-7676
; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
Tihana Brkljačić
; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
Lana Lučić
; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This qualitative study aims to examine the perception of the
importance, and positive and negative aspects of digital
technology use, physical activity, and literacy environment for
the well-being of children in middle childhood, as well as
perceived differences in parenting between generations. The
study included 40 parents (25 mothers and 15 fathers) in 9
online focus groups. The results show that participants agree
on the positive influence of all three environments on child
well-being. They also recognise some negative aspects of
digital technology use and the difficulties they encounter in
trying to ensure their children's participation in organised
sports activities. As for differences in parenting between
generations, they mention more supervision displayed by
today's parents and greater involvement in leisure time
organisation. The results enable future quantitative studies on
the parental perception of environmental influences on
children's well-being and the creation of interventions aimed
at removing obstacles that prevent parents from engaging
their children in certain activities.
Keywords
digital technology; physical activity; literacy environment; well-being; qualitative study; parenting
Hrčak ID:
329852
URI
Publication date:
5.4.2025.
Visits: 804 *