J Pediatr Nurs. 2026 Apr 1;88:635-644. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2026.03.041. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Children with disabilities increasingly encounter digital environments with opportunities and risks, while relationships among digital parenting self-efficacy, parental self-efficacy, and family support remain understudied.
METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study was conducted with 195 parents of children aged 0-18 years with disabilities registered in a disability services unit in Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form, the Digital Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale, the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Family Support Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation with the fully conditional specification method, and pooled estimates were calculated according to Rubin’s rules.
RESULTS: Most children used the internet daily and for extended periods, and some exhibited behaviors suggestive of problematic use. Parents demonstrated moderate-to-high levels of digital literacy, digital security awareness, and digital communication skills. Parental self-efficacy showed positive associations with digital competencies and perceived family support. In the adjusted regression model controlling for maternal age, maternal education, family income, and social security status, digital security and perceived family support emerged as significant predictors of parental self-efficacy, with digital security representing the strongest predictor.
CONCLUSIONS: Digital security and family support play important roles in strengthening parental self-efficacy among families raising children with disabilities.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PEDIATRIC NURSING: Pediatric nurses can play a key role in assessing digital use in families of children with disabilities, strengthening parents’ digital literacy and self-efficacy, and designing family-centred interventions to reduce digital risks and enhance family support.
PMID:41930534 | DOI:10.1016/j.pedn.2026.03.041
