This Study Aims to Characterize Distractions at Family Mealtimes and Examine

Essay

This study aims to characterize distractions at family mealtimes and examine associations between father availability, distractions, and observed responsive feeding. Between fathers, mothers, and children, families spent almost half of the mealtime distracted. Fathers and mothers engaged in about equal amounts of distractions, and children engaged in more technology-related distractions than parents. Fathers' absence at the mealtime was associated with more child distractions and less maternal feeding responsiveness.
Adapted from Saltzman, J.A., Musaad, S., Bost, K. K., McBride, B. A., & Fiese, B. H. (2019). Associations between father availability, mealtime distractions and routines, and maternal feeding responsiveness: An observational study. Journal of Family Psychology, 33, 465-475. https://doi-org.mantis.csuchico.edu/10.1037/fam0000519
Which research method did the researchers use? Is it basic or applied? Explain your answers.