Understanding the phenomenon of parent-child play across generations in Hong Kong : a mixed-method study

Abstract

The present mixed-methods study examined perceived importance of play in childhood, childhood happiness, perceived importance of play to children nowadays, parent-child play time in relation to parent-child intimacy. Two hundred and thirty-nine parents (74% female, mean age range = 31-40) participated in this study. There were two phases in the current study. Participants’ childhood play and parent-child play experience were measured by a questionnaire in Phase 1. Twenty participants (74% female) among those who consented for Phase 2 were randomly selected for a qualitative interview on one’s childhood play experience. Quantitative findings showed that perceived importance of play in childhood and amount of parent-child playtime were associated with parent-child intimacy. Furthermore, the amount of parent-child playtime significantly mediated the effect of perceived importance of play in childhood on the level of parent-child intimacy. Qualitative findings provided examples of parent-child play, beliefs and attitudes of play of the parents in the previous generations. These findings emphasize the importance parent’s engagement and reciprocal exchange in parent-child play in facilitating the intimacy and bonding between parent and child.