Eye health behaviors and parental influencing factors among preschool children in Korea: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: This study explored the threat and efficacy factors influencing children’s eye health behaviors using an Extended Parallel Process Model for parents of preschool children.Methods: Data were collected from October 30 to November 6, 2023, using a web-based survey. In total, 166 parents of preschool children participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multiple regression analyses. Parents’ eye health knowledge, eye health threat factors (perceived severity and susceptibility), and eye health efficacy factors (self-efficacy and response efficacy) related to preschoolers were measured. Eye health behavior was assessed by observing the children’s behavior over the past week.Results: The eye health behaviors of preschool children were positively correlated with their parents’ eye health knowledge (r=.21, p=.006), perceived severity (r=.22, p=.004), response efficacy (r=.36, p<.001), and self-efficacy (r=.64, p<.001). Children’s eye health behavior showed a negative correlation with perceived susceptibility (r=-.27, p<.001). As seen on multiple regression analysis, the factor influencing children’s eye health behavior was self-efficacy (β=.57, p<.001), and the model’s explanatory power was approximately 43% (F=24.09, p<.001).Conclusion: To promote eye health behavior in preschool children, it is necessary to strengthen the self-efficacy of parents. The results of this study can be used to develop eye health programs for preschool children and their parents.