Understanding how motor function and lifestyle factors shape problematic media use in adolescents with cerebral palsy

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between problematic media use and gross motor function level, physical activity, and personal factors in adolescents diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) and to investigate effect of gross motor function on problematic media use. 100 adolescents with CP aged between 10 and 18 years (mean age = 12.0 ± 4.50) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I-V were included in study. Problematic Media Use Scale, Gross Motor Function Measure-66, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were administered to parents. Relationships between parameters were analyzed using a structural equation model. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare problematic media use according to GMFCS level. Structural path analysis revealed that gross motor function significantly predicted problematic media use (β = 0.055). Physical activity was found to be a significant predictor of both moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (β = 0.221) and walking ability as measured by the IPAQ (β = 0.423). Furthermore, personal factors such as age, gender, and cerebral palsy type did not exhibit any statistically significant relationship with problematic media use (all p > 0.05). Comparison of problematic media use across gross motor function level revealed significant differences (p < 0.001). Analysis results indicate that gross motor function has a significant effect on problematic media use. However, no significant relationship was observed between physical activity and problematic media use. Additionally, individual factors such as age, gender, and type of CP were not significantly associated with media use. Results emphasize the predictive value of gross motor and physical activity variables over media-related behaviors, while personal factors appear to have limited influence in this model.