Advantages of Restricted Caregiving on Work Behaviors of Digitally Fixated Children Ages 2–5 in Cavite

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of caregiving approaches on the work behaviors of digitally fixated children aged 2 to 5 years in Cavite, Philippines. It examined how restricted, unrestricted, and supervised caregiving approaches influence a child’s attention, concentration, frustration tolerance, and impulse control. A descriptive correlational quantitative design was used, involving 75 caregiver–child dyads selected through purposive and convenience sampling. The study introduced a caregiver approach classification tool developed and validated for the Philippine context, which caregivers completed along with adapted instruments to rate their children’s work behaviors. Descriptive statistics showed that the restricted caregiving approach was most prevalent, followed by supervised and unrestricted, while caregiver reports indicated average work behavior quality. Spearman’s rank-order correlation indicated a very weak, positive, and non-significant association between caregiving approaches and work behaviors. In contrast, the Kruskal–Wallis H test revealed significant differences in work behaviors across caregiving approaches, with Dunn’s post hoc analysis confirming higher work behavior levels among children in restricted caregiving than in supervised or unrestricted caregiving. These findings suggest that a restricted caregiving approach may better support work behaviors among digitally fixated young children by providing consistent structure and clear limits during task engagement.