A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found an association between adolescents' perceptions of caregiver device use interference and insecure attachment styles. The study surveyed 600 adolescents aged 12 to 17, representing the United States general population.

Researchers developed the "device attachment interference scale" to measure teenagers' perceptions of how caregiver device use affected attention, availability, and interactions. Teenagers who reported higher levels of caregiver device interference were more likely to report insecure attachment styles, which included anxious and avoidant patterns. Psychologist Don Grant, a corresponding author of the article, works at the Center for Research and Innovation at Newport Healthcare.

The association between perceived device interference and insecure attachment was observed across ages, genders, races, and ethnicities. The study relied on the adolescent's subjective perception that a device was interfering with the relationship and did not measure the objective amount of parent technology use or quantify screen time. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, said, "This study surveyed 600 adolescents ages 12 to 17 across the United States."

Grant noted his observations from over a decade ago. "About 10 years ago I started to notice some concerning primary caregiver device use behaviors," Grant said. He added, "In addition, my teen clients began sharing their negative feelings about the same behaviors."

The study authors stated that the research shows a correlation but cannot confirm causation between caregiver device use and insecure attachment. Insecure attachment is associated with poorer mental health and problems with healthy relationships, while secure attachment is linked to more successful relationships and greater well-being. "We are not saying that every time a child submits a bid for attention a parent has to drop everything, including whatever they are doing on their devices, and answer it," Grant said. He added, "We are recommending that when those bids occur, a parent does acknowledge and respond to them in some way."