The effect of short-term television viewing on sustained attention, working memory and self-control

Objectives: This research aimed at investigating the immediate effect of violent video on sustained attention, working memory and self-control among children with ADHD and children without ADHD. Another aim was to explore the possibility of mediation role of working memory and self-control. Method: Experimental design was used to investigate that relationship.116 children (103 of them without ADHD, 13 of them with ADHD) from primary 1 to 3 were recruited in study 1 and 2 respectively. Participants were randomly assigned to 3 conditions (violent cartoon, non-violent cartoon and free play) in study 1 and 2 conditions (violent cartoon and free play) in study 2. Result: 1) significant effect of violent cartoon on the sustained attention and significant effect of both violent and non-violent cartoons on working memory among children without ADHD. 2) Significant effect of violent cartoon exposure on sustained attention, working memory and self-control among children with ADHD. 3) No significant mediation of working memory on the relations between violent cartoon and sustained attention. Conclusion: Findings suggested that violent cartoon exposure influenced significantly on sustained attention. Different pattern of causal relations was observed between children with ADHD and children without ADHD. All rights reserved.