The indirect effect of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder between problematic media use and aggression among a sample of Lebanese children - a cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID13899849
AuthorsAmanda Geagea (Holy Spirit University of Kaslik), Laetitia Gerbaka (Lebanese American University), Rabih Hallit (0000-0003-1817-6146, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik), Diana Malaeb (0000-0002-2436-850X, Gulf Medical University), S El-Khatib (0000-0002-1477-2322, Gulf University for Science & Technology), Fouad Sakr (0000-0002-6905-5814, Lebanese International University), Mariam Dabbous (0000-0002-5191-3497, Lebanese International University), Souheil Hallit (0000-0001-6918-5689, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, corresponding author), Feten Fekih‐Romdhane (0000-0002-2569-8017, Razi Hospital), Sahar Obeid (0000-0002-0735-4704, Lebanese American University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume30
Issue1
Publication date2025-06-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Adolescence and Youth (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0267-3843 • E-ISSN: 2164-4527
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02673843.2025.2517098
OpenAlexW4411121766
LanguageEN
References cited98

This study aims to explore the potential indirect role of ADHD symptoms, specifically inattention and impulsivity, in the relationship between problematic media use and aggression in Lebanese children. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a snowball sampling technique to recruit 892 parents of children aged between 6 and 12 years, from various Lebanese regions. The mean age of participants was M = 37.22, SD = 8.11; 77.9% were mothers, and 92.7% were married. The results revealed that higher levels of PMU were significantly associated with greater impulsivity (β = 0.37, p < .001) and inattention (β = 0.27, p < 0.001). In turn, impulsivity was positively associated with reactive aggression (β = 0.30, p < 0.001) and proactive aggression (β = 0.24, p < 0.001), while inattention was associated with both reactive (β = 0.39, p < .001) and proactive aggression (β = 0.31, p < .001). In addition, direct effects were observed between PMU and aggression: higher PMU was directly associated with both reactive aggression (β = 0.05, p < .001) and proactive aggression (β = 0.04, p < .001). The findings underscore the need for parental guidance and educational interventions that promote healthy media habits and teach emotional regulation strategies to children, particularly those with ADHD, in order to reduce the risk of aggression

Aggression · Attention deficit · Attention deficit disorder · Cross-sectional study · Developmental psychology · Media use · Psychiatry · Sample (material · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Child Development and Digital Technology · Clinical Psychology · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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