Behavioral correlates of television viewing in young adolescents in Turkey

We evaluated the behavioral effects of television (TV) viewing in 860 young adolescents as reported by parents (n=581) on Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The mean duration of TV viewing was 2.32 ± 1.77 hours/day according to parents and 2.08 ± 1.41 hours/day according to self report (r=0.37, P<0.0001). The linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant relation between socioeconomic status (P=0.019) and aggressive behavior score of CBCL (P=0.016) and parent reported TV viewing hours. Self reported TV viewing for more than 2 hours was significantly associated with social problem score (OR 1.17; 95% CI:1.016–1.349; P=0.030) and having a TV in bedroom (OR:1.706; 95% CI: 1.065–2.731, P=0.026).