Gender Differences in Smartphone Addiction Behaviors Associated With Parent–Child Bonding, Parent–Child Communication, and Parental Mediation Among Korean Elementary School Students

Maternal distress, parenting stress, maladaptive parenting and children's problematic media use in China: evidence from 2022 spring in Shanghai

The COVID-19 lockdown has forced young children to spend more time on media and significantly impacted their mothers' mental health. This study explored how mothers' individual distress influences children's problematic media use during the Shanghai citywide lockdown caused by COVID-19. Data were collected from 1889 Chinese mothers (Mage = 34.69 years, SD = 3.94 years) with preschoolers aged 3-6 years (Mage = 4.38 years, SD = 1.06 years; 49.0% boys) via an online survey. The statistical analyses relied on SPSS Statistics version 26.0 and macro-program PROCESS 3.3. to investigate the associations and mediation analysis among all the study variables. The results indicated a positive association between maternal distress and children's problematic media use, mediated by parenting stress and maladaptive parenting. Specifically, the serial mediation analysis revealed that high levels of maternal distress exacerbate parenting stress, which in turn leads to maladaptive parenting practices. These maladaptive practices subsequently increase problematic media use in preschool children. The findings highlighted that parents need to enhance their ability to manage risk and promote mental health during periods of significant stress and routine disruption to reduce children's problematic media use.

The Relationship of Parent-Child Technoference and Child Problematic Smartphone Use: The Roles of Parent-Child Relationship, Negative Parenting Styles, and Children's Gender

Purpose

With the increasing ubiquity of smartphones in our daily lives, technoference has emerged as a novel threat to family relationships and child development. This study explored the impact of parent-child technoference on child problematic smartphone use and its underlying mechanism and potential gender difference among children.

Participants and Methods

The participants were 3032 fourth-grade students (42.6% female; 80.6% one-child families; 32.9% lower income level families, 33.3% middle income level families; Mage = 10.59 years, SD=0.32) from 535 primary schools. Students in the target classes were invited to participate anonymously in the questionnaire survey in classrooms. Then, SPSS, AMOS and other software were used to analyze the data.

Results

1) Parent-child technoference, negative parenting styles and child problematic smartphone use were positively correlated with each other, while they were negatively correlated with parent-child relationship; 2) Parent-child technoference can not only directly and positively predict child problematic smartphone use, but also indirectly and positively predict child problematic smartphone use through parent-child relationship and negative parenting styles respectively; 3) Parent-child relationship and negative parenting styles play a chain mediating role between parent-child technoference and child problematic smartphone use; 4) There are significant gender differences in the chain mediation model.

Conclusion

The results showed that parent-child technoference significantly affected child problematic smartphone use through a chain mediation of parent-child relationship and negative parenting styles. Gender differences were observed, with girls experiencing a more pronounced disruption in the parent-child relationship, while boys were more likely to develop problematic smartphone use. In cases of strained parent-child relationships due to technoference, girls also tended to perceive more negative parenting styles. These findings promote parents' understanding of the influencing factors and mechanisms of child problematic smartphone use, especially helpful for follow-up measures to prevent and intervene child problematic smartphone use from the perspective of families and parents.

How does smartphone addiction affect the lives of adolescents socially and academically?: a systematic review study

Today, adolescents tend to accept smartphones more quickly than adults and spend more time with these devices since they are members of the first generation born and living in environments where smartphones and the internet are common. However, when they use smartphones excessively and become addicted to smartphones, this may cause them to suffer from various psychological, emotional, and physical health problems from an early age. Therefore, this study systematically examines the articles on smartphone addiction in adolescents. For this purpose, the related articles were screened using the Web of Science database and 188 studies by the search criteria were subjected to a systematic review. In this sense, methodological tendencies, variables and main findings of the studies included in the present study were examined. This study revealed that the quantitative research method was primarily used. The studies mainly investigated smartphone use, social relations, demographic characteristics, depression, personal characteristics, and sleep variables. Moreover, the studies were primarily conducted in China, and large sample groups were preferred. The factors that triggered the smartphone addiction of adolescents were family problems, and especially females were more addicted to smartphones than males. Moreover, smartphone addiction causes depressive symptoms, sleep problems, and decreased academic achievement in adolescents. Finally, various suggestions were presented based on the findings of this study.

Attachment Anxiety and Nomophobia: A Moderated Parallel Mediation Model

Nomophobia is the state of being anxious or disturbed when feeling disconnected from the digital world and can have a significant impact on individuals' health and well-being. Drawing upon attachment theory and the previous literature on nomophobia, this study aims to understand how attachment anxiety influences nomophobia and whether this relationship differs between males and females. In the Human Penguin Project (HPP) (N = 1221; 12 countries; participants aged ≥20 years), the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire-Revised (ECR-R), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) were used to assess attachment anxiety, alexithymia, perceived stress, and nomophobia, respectively. The results demonstrated that (1) there were significant positive correlations between attachment anxiety, nomophobia, alexithymia, and perceived stress. Additionally, (2) there was a direct and significant effect of attachment anxiety on nomophobia, and alexithymia and perceived stress partially mediated this relationship. Finally, (3) gender significantly moderated the relationship between attachment anxiety and nomophobia. Specifically, the predicted effect was significant in both males and females, but the direct effect of attachment anxiety and nomophobia was stronger in males.

Parental and Child Factors Associated With Internet Addiction in Children

BACKGROUND

Internet addiction has negative effects on psychological development, interpersonal relationships, and social adaptation in 10-year-old elementary school students.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify parental and child characteristics related to Internet addiction in lower-grade elementary school children.

METHODS

This study used a secondary data analysis. Data from the tenth Panel Study on Korean Children were used. In total, 1224 ten-year-old elementary school students were included in the analysis. The questionnaire included general, parental, and child characteristics.

RESULTS

Of all child participants, 18.5% were in the high-risk group for Internet addiction. Lower paternal and maternal spousal satisfaction, maternal education level of high school graduate or lower, and greater permissive parenting by the mother were associated with higher odds of Internet addiction among their children. Moreover, boys and children who spent more than an hour per day without adults showed higher odds of Internet addiction.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that the implementation of an intervention that improves parenting and family relationships and positively changes the environment in which children are brought up is necessary.

Predicting Adolescents' Problematic Social Media Use From Profiles of Internet-Specific Parenting Practices and General Parenting Dimensions

Although both Internet-specific and general parenting have been linked to adolescents' problematic social media use, until now they have been investigated as separate predictors of this behavior. As specific parenting practices occur in the broader general parenting context, this study examined how different Internet-specific parenting practices (Internet-specific rule setting, reactive restrictions towards Internet use, and co-use) and general parenting dimensions (responsiveness and autonomy-granting) co-occur, and act together in predicting adolescents' problematic social media use. Four-wave data of 400 adolescents (T1: M age = 13.51 years, SD = 2.15, 54% girls) were used. Latent profile analysis identified three parenting profiles: Limiting and less supportive (13.5%), Tolerant and supportive (25.5%), and Limiting and supportive (60.8%). Membership to Tolerant and supportive predicted lower scores on prospective problematic social media use than membership to the other profiles. Besides, membership to Limiting and supportive predicted lower scores on problematic social media use than membership to Limiting and less supportive. No robust moderation effects of adolescents' age and gender were found. These findings suggest that a supportive general parenting context rather than Internet use restrictions should be the focus when considering the prevention of adolescents' problematic social media use.

Predicting preschool children's digital play addiction tendency during Covid-19 pandemic: Regarding the mother-child relationship, and child- and family-related factors

Previous research about children's digital play has predominantly focused on parental perspectives and parental mediation strategies. Although research on the effects of digital play on young children's development is plentiful, there is little evidence on young children's digital play addiction tendency. Herein, preschool children's digital play addiction tendency, and the mother-child relationship perceived by mothers, examining child- and family-related factors were explored. The present study also aimed to contribute to the current research pertaining to preschool-aged children's digital play addiction tendency through an examination of the mother-child relationship, and child- and family-related factors as potential predictors of children's digital play addiction tendency. A sample of 450 mothers of children between 4 and 6 years filled out two measures that identify the mother-child relationship and children's digital play addiction tendency. Correlational analyses revealed that in general, the mother-child relationship was significantly associated with children's digital play addiction tendency. Significant differences were evident in the relationship between numerous child- and family-related factors, and children's digital play addiction tendency, as well as the mother-child relationship. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that a negative mother-child relationship, the children's digital play usage, and the mothers' digital device usage predicted the children's digital play addiction tendency.

Children's excessive digital media use, mental health problems and the protective role of parenting during COVID-19

COVID-19's outbreak in March 2020 and the social distancing measures that followed it changed the lives of children worldwide. Studies assessing the pandemic's implications for children have reported an alarming increase in the use of digital media (DM) and warned of its adverse impacts on children's functioning and development. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between excessive and problematic DM use and emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning among Israeli adolescents during COVID-19 and to identify adolescents at elevated risk of developing problematic DM use. Three hundred forty-seven Israeli parent-child dyads (M age = 11.81, SD = 1.41) separately completed measures assessing children's DM use (time and addiction), functioning (academic, social, emotional, and behavioral), behavioral dysregulation, and the parents' parenting practices. The results showed that DM addiction, but not DM use, was related to children's emotional, behavioral, and academic difficulties. Moreover, the results indicated that negative parenting and behavioral dysregulation increased the risk of DM addiction, which in turn increased emotional, behavioral, and academic difficulties. The results underscored parents' role in preventing problematic DM use and highlighted the need to treat DM use and problematic DM use as distinct constructs.

Smartphone addiction, gender and interpersonal attachment: A cross-sectional analytical survey in Taiwan

Overview

Smartphone use has dramatically increased worldwide, contributing to a profound change in interpersonal interactions. They have become the primary medium of human interaction, and smartphone addiction, consequently, has become a modern-day reality. Recent research on smartphone addiction has provided diverse explanations regarding the correlation between gender and addiction. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the correlation and variance among smartphone addiction, gender and interpersonal attachment.

Methods

The participants included Taiwanese citizens and the questionnaires were randomly distributed; 1190 valid questionnaires (534 males, 656 females) were collected. Descriptive statistics were computed to observe the average value and standard deviation between interpersonal attachment and gender. Next, Spearman's ρ was conducted to interpret the correlation among smartphone addiction, gender and interpersonal attachment. Finally, the participants were divided into three groups based on their pre-determined level of smartphone addiction: high, moderate and low addictions. The Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed based on interpersonal attachment as the independent variable to determine any statistically significant difference among the three levels.

Results

There are four patterns of interpersonal attachment: secure, avoidant, dismissing and anxious attachments. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between interpersonal attachment and smartphone addiction (p > 0.000), while revealing no relationship between gender and smartphone addiction or gender and interpersonal attachment. Additionally, the ANOVA indicated the difference was statistically significant in the groups of high and moderate addictions; no statistical significance was identified in the group of low addiction (p < 0.204).

Conclusion

This study revealed that there was no correlation between gender and smartphone addiction, but rather, a positive correlation between smartphone addiction and interpersonal attachment. This positive correlation suggests both high and moderate addiction groups display insecurity in their interpersonal attachment. Therefore, to lower the prevalence of unhealthy smartphone addiction, maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships is suggested.

Smartphone addiction is more harmful to adolescents than Internet gaming disorder: Divergence in the impact of parenting styles

Background

The adverse effects of smartphone addiction (SPA) and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) on adolescents' mental health have been widely recognized. However, the influence of parenting styles on these high-risk Internet use behaviors of adolescents still remain elusive. Aiming to identify preventable patterns for adolescents with SPA or IGD, this study compared the mental health status between adolescents with SPA and IGD and used path analysis to confirm actual effects of parenting styles on SPA and IGD.

Methods

Participants were enrolled at a junior high school in Hunan Province and a senior high school in Shanxi Province, China [n = 3,049, female (male): 50.5% (49.5%), mean age = 15.68 ± 1.54]. All participants reported their socio-demographic characteristics and undertook standardized assessments of SPA, IGD, parenting styles, depression, anxiety, insomnia, self-control, and support utilization.

Results

High levels of parental care and low levels of parental overprotection benefited adolescents' mental health with SPA and IGD. However, despite having a more positive parenting style, adolescents with only SPA showed more severe mental health problems than adolescents with only IGD. Furthermore, the results showed that the parenting style of encouraging autonomy might be a protective factor against IGD, but it might reinforce SPA indirectly by reducing abilities of support utilization and self-control in whole sample.

Conclusion

Compared to IGD, SPA which included different kinds of Internet addiction behaviors, was more hazardous for adolescents' mental health. The divergent effects of an autonomy-encouraging parenting style on SPA and IGD may reflect the different impacts of self-control in different types of Internet addiction.

Perceived Parental Monitoring of Smartphones and Problematic Smartphone Use in Adolescents: Mediating Roles of Self-Efficacy and Self-Control

Adolescents are vulnerable for problematic smartphone use (PSU), which is associated with adverse psychological and physical health outcomes. Prior studies have debated whether the association between parental monitoring of smartphones and PSU is positive, negative, or nonsignificant. The present study investigated the relationship between parental monitoring of smartphones and PSU and the potential mediation mechanism involving self-efficacy and self-control. Eight hundred ninety-nine middle- and high-school students from a metropolitan city in China completed a questionnaire containing measurements of demographic information, perceived parental monitoring of smartphones, self-control, self-efficacy, and PSU. The results showed that (a) perceived parental monitoring of smartphones was negatively related to adolescent PSU; (b) self-control partially mediated the link between perceived parental monitoring of smartphones and adolescent PSU; and (c) self-efficacy and self-control sequentially mediated the link between parental monitoring of smartphones and PSU. The current study highlights the mediating mechanisms linking perceived parental monitoring of smartphones and adolescent PSU, and this may contribute to the development of family-based prevention and intervention strategies for adolescent PSU.

The impact of smartphone use on learning effectiveness: A case study of primary school students

This study investigated the effects of smartphone use on the perceived academic performance of elementary school students. Following the derivation of four hypotheses from the literature, descriptive analysis, t testing, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis, and one-way multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) were performed to characterize the relationship between smartphone behavior and academic performance with regard to learning effectiveness. All coefficients were positive and significant, supporting all four hypotheses. We also used structural equation modeling (SEM) to determine whether smartphone behavior is a mediator of academic performance. The MANOVA results revealed that the students in the high smartphone use group academically outperformed those in the low smartphone use group. The results indicate that smartphone use constitutes a potential inequality in learning opportunities among elementary school students. Finally, in a discussion of whether smartphone behavior is a mediator of academic performance, it is proved that smartphone behavior is the mediating variable impacting academic performance. Fewer smartphone access opportunities may adversely affect learning effectiveness and academic performance. Elementary school teachers must be aware of this issue, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The findings serve as a reference for policymakers and educators on how smartphone use in learning activities affects academic performance.

Maternal Mediation on Children’s Smartphone Overdependence: A Moderated Moderation Model of Mother-Child Communication and Children’s Gender

Objectives: This study examined the effects of maternal mediation and mother-child communication on children’s smartphone overdependence. It also explored the moderated moderation effect of mother-child communication and children’s gender on the relationship between maternal mediation and children’s smartphone overdependence.Methods: A total of 411 first to third grade elementary school students and their mothers participated in this study. Mothers responded to questionnaires. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis with SPSS 21.0 and using model 3 in PROCESS macro version 3.4.Results: First, maternal active mediation only affected girls’ smartphone overdependence, while maternal restrictive mediation affected both boys’ and girls’ smartphone overdependence. That is, the more active mediation mothers showed, the less dependent girls were on smartphones. Moreover, the more restrictive mediation mothers showed, the less dependent both boys and girls were on smartphones. Second, problematic communication influenced both boys’ and girls’ smartphone overdependence; that is, the more problematic communication they had with their mothers, the more they depended on smartphones. Lastly, the effect of maternal active mediation on children’s smartphone overdependence was different depending on open communication and children’s gender. Specifically, its effect on children’s smartphone overdependence was greater when they communicated more openly with their mothers, and this effect was only found in the case of girls.Conclusion: This study confirmed that maternal mediation and mother-child communication are important to effectively prevent or intervene in children’s smartphone overdependence. It also suggests that prevention or intervention should be approached differently depending on children’s gender.

The association between parent-child relationship and problematic internet use among English- and Chinese-language studies: A meta-analysis

As past studies of the association between parent-child relationship and problematic internet use show mixed results and are influenced by many factors, this meta-analysis of 75 primary Chinese and English language studies from 1990 to 2021 with 110,601 participants (aged 6−25 years) explored (a) the overall association between parent-child relationship and problematic internet use, and (b) whether the association is affected by their types, country, measures, objects of the parent-child relationship, gender, age, year and publication types. We used funnel plots, Classic fail-safe N and Egger's test to test for publication bias and for moderation with the homogeneity tests. The results showed a negative association between quality of parent-child relationship and problematic internet use (r = −0.18, 95% CI = [−0.20, −0.15]). The moderation analysis found that compared with internet addiction tendency, the association between social media addiction and parent-child relationship was stronger. Moreover, the association between the parent-child relationship and problematic internet use of emerging adults (18–25 years old) was stronger than that of adolescents (12−18 years old). Furthermore, the negative association between parent-child relationship and problematic internet use was weaker (a) in Italy than those in Turkey and China, (b) when using CPS (Closeness to Parents Scale), IPPA (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment), or PARQ (Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire) measuring parent-child relationship than using PCCS (Parent-Child Communication Scale), (c) when using IAT measuring problematic internet use rather than using IGDS or APIUS. Hence, these results indicate a negative association between parent-child relationships and problematic internet use, and the association is moderated by types of problematic internet use, age, country, scales of both parent-child relationship and problematic internet use.

Qudah MF, Al-Barashdi HS, Bakhiet SF, Darandari E, Al-Asqah SS, Hammad HI, Al-Khadher MM, Qara S, Al-Mutairy SH, Albursan HI. Smartphone Addiction among University Students in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prevalence, Relationship to Academic Procrastination, Quality of Life, Gender and Educational Stage

The current study aims to identify the level and proportions of smartphone addiction, and academic procrastination among university students in the light of the Corona pandemic; identify the differences in smartphone addiction, academic procrastination, and quality of life according to gender and stage of study; and revealing the predictive ability of academic procrastination and quality of life for smartphone addiction. Methods: 556 male and female students from Saudi universities participated in the study, whose ages ranged from 18 to 52 years. Measures of academic procrastination and quality of life were used, in addition to the Italian scale of smartphone addiction, which was translated and checked for validity and reliability. Results: The results revealed that 37.4% of the sample were addicted to smartphone use, while 7.7% had a high level of procrastination, and 62.8% had an average level of procrastination. The results did not show statistically significant differences in smartphone addiction and quality of life according to gender and educational stage, while there were statistically significant differences in academic procrastination according to gender in favor of males, and according to stage of education in favor of undergraduate students. The results also revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between academic procrastination and smartphone addiction, and a statistically significant negative relationship between smartphone addiction and quality of life. A negative relationship between quality of life and academic procrastination was found. The results also revealed that addiction to smartphones could be predicted through academic procrastination and quality of life.

Resource-Strengthening Training for Parents of Adolescents with Problematic Gaming (Res@t-P): A Clinical Pilot Study

Background: Problematic gaming (PG) has become an increasing mental health issue among adolescents during the preceding years. The role of parents and the family environment in the development of PG has been repeatedly emphasized. However, the structured involvement of parents in the therapy is still largely insufficient. Resource-strengthening training for parents of adolescents with PG (Res@t-P) is a new parent-centered 8-week group intervention to fill this substantial gap. The present pilot study aimed to collect first information on its potential effectiveness in improving parental and family factors. Methods: The study was conducted in a clinical setting with N = 43 parents of adolescents with PG, applying a pre- and post-follow-up design. Standardized questionnaires on psychological stress perception, family communication, family functioning, media rules, and adolescent PG symptoms were applied at three measurement points (before, at the end of, and 6 weeks after the training). Conditional growth models were estimated. Results: Over time, an improvement in parental and family aspects as well as a reduction in adolescent PG symptoms could be observed. Conclusions: The results of the present pilot study on the effectiveness of Res@t-P are promising. No causal inferences can be drawn at this stage. A randomized-controlled intervention study is highly warranted.

Parental Efficacy in Managing Smartphone Use of Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Parental and Adolescent Related Factors

Parental management has an important role in preventing problematic smartphone use among adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to examine the parental factors (e.g., demographics, depressive symptoms and parenting styles) and adolescent factors (e.g., demographics, ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder [ODD] symptoms, and problematic smartphone use) related to parental efficacy in managing adolescent smartphone use (PEMASU) among 237 parents of adolescents with ADHD. PEMASU was measured by the Parental Smartphone Use Management Scale. Parental depressive symptoms and parenting styles (parental affection/care and overprotection) were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale and Parental Bonding Instrument, respectively. Adolescent ADHD and ODD symptoms and problematic smartphone use were measured by the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham, version IV scale and Problematic Smartphone Use Questionnaire, respectively. Three models of hierarchical linear regression were performed to examine the parental and adolescent factors related to PEMASU. The results indicated that adolescent older age and more severe ODD symptoms and problematic smartphone use were significantly associated with lower PEMASU, whereas greater parental affection/care was significantly associated with higher PEMASU. This study demonstrated that both parental and adolescent factors contribute to PEMASU among parents of adolescents with ADHD. Intervention programs aiming to enhancing PEMASU need to take these related factors into consideration.

Association between smartphone addiction risk, sleep quality, and sleep duration among Korean school-age children: a population-based panel study

Smartphone addiction is regarded as a public health threat to the lives of children and adolescents. However, its association with sleep quality and quantity is poorly understood in the Korean context. This study investigated the association between smartphone addiction, sleep quality, and sleep duration among Korean school-age children. Our study employed data from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey of 2018-2019, which included 4287 participants. Smartphone addiction was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale. A generalized estimating equation model was used to analyze the data. Children in the high-risk group showed an increased likelihood of poor sleep quality compared to those in the low-risk group (odds ratio (OR) = 1.59, confidence interval (CI) [1.06-2.38]). Children in the potential-risk and high-risk groups showed an increased likelihood of short sleep duration compared to those in the low-risk group (potential-risk: OR = 1.44, CI [1.09-1.90]; high-risk: OR = 2.25, CI [1.66-3.05]) Children who are at high risk for smartphone addiction are likely to have poor sleep quality and short sleep duration. Therefore, appropriate interventions and continuous monitoring are required to protect children from smartphone addiction and improve their sleep quality and duration.

Parent-child relationship and smartphone addiction among Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal moderated mediation model

Using a three-wave longitudinal design, we examined the relationship between early parent-child relationship and subsequent smartphone addiction (SA) and explored mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relation. A total of 527 Chinese adolescents (271 boys and 256 girls, mean age = 11.23 years) completed questionnaires regarding parent-child relationship, smartphone addiction, hope and life satisfaction. The results showed that: (1) parent-child relationship (T1) was positively associated with life satisfaction (T1) and hope (T2); parent-child relationship (T1), life satisfaction (T1), and hope (T2) were significantly negatively associated with SA (T3); (2) After controlling for age, gender, and SA (T1), hope (T2) completely mediated the relationship between parental-child relationship (T1) and adolescents' SA (T3); (3) life satisfaction (T1) moderated the association between parent-child relationship (T1) and hope (T2). Specifically, as life satisfaction (T1) increased, parent-child relationship (T1) was more likely to promote hope (T2). Moreover, the indirect negative links between parent-child relationship (T1) and SA (T3) via hope (T2) were stronger for adolescents with high level of life satisfaction (T1) than for adolescents with low level of life satisfaction (T1). The results reveal the mechanism of hope and life satisfaction in the effect of parent-child relationship on SA in adolescents, indicating that SA among adolescents can be weakened through the improvement of parent-child relationship, the rise in hope and the increase in life satisfaction.

How parental smartphone addiction affects adolescent smartphone addiction: The effect of the parent-child relationship and parental bonding

BACKGROUND

Adolescent smartphone addiction (ASA) has fueled concerns worldwide regarding the negative health effects. This study aimed to examine whether parental smartphone addiction (PSA) affected ASA, and evaluated the mediating role of the parent-child relationship and the moderating role of parental bonding in the effect from PSA to ASA, among a Chinese sample of parent-child pairs.

METHODS

A large-scale cross-sectional survey was conducted among 10- to 15-year-old students and their parents. ASA and PSA were assessed by Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI). The parent-child relationship was evaluated by Child-Parent Relationship Scale-Short Form (CPRS-SF), and parental bonding was estimated by Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Conditional process model was used to examine the relationship between PSA and ASA, as well as the mediating effect of parent-child relationship and the moderating effect of parental bonding.

RESULTS

A total of 9515 adolescents and their parents completed the online survey. PSA significantly positively predicted ASA (B = 0.488, p < 0.001). The parent-child relationship negatively mediated the association from PSA to ASA (B = -0.321, p < 0.001). Parental overprotection moderated the indirect path from PSA to ASA through the parent-child relationship (B = -0.016, p < 0.001), but parental care had not any moderation (B = -0.005, p > 0.05). Specifically, parental overprotection had a positive moderating effect on the second half mediation path. The indirect effect of PSA on ASA through parent-child relationship was greater in higher overprotection than in lower.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional study of self-administrated questionnaires.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents had a higher tendency toward smartphone addiction when their parents excessively used smartphones. The findings highlighted the essential role of parent-child relationship and parental bonding in the association from PSA to ASA.

Associations of early social media initiation on digital behaviors and the moderating role of limiting use

Little is known about the effects of social media initiation on digital behaviors from middle childhood to early adolescence, a critical developmental period marked by peer influence and inaugural access to mobile devices. Participants from middle schools in the Northeast U.S. (N=773; 11-15 years, Mean = 12.6) completed a cross-sectional survey about social media initiation, digital behaviors, and parental restrictions on digital use. Descriptive results demonstrated that overall early adolescents more frequently engaged in positive digital behaviors compared to negative ones. Results from structural equation models showed that initiating social media platforms, namely Instagram or Snapchat, in later childhood (10 years or younger) was significantly associated with problematic digital behavior outcomes compared to either tween (11-12) and/or teen (13+) initiation, including having online friends or joining social media sites parents would disapprove of, more problematic digital technology behaviors, more unsympathetic online behaviors, and greater likelihood of online harassment and sexual harassment victimization. Additionally, there is evidence to show that childhood initiators demonstrated a greater tendency to engage in supportive or civically-engaged online community behaviors compared to older initiator counterparts. Parental restriction of mobile phone use and a less frequent checking of social media ameliorated some of the negative effects.

Age, gender, peers, life skills and quality of life influence risk of cell phone addiction among college teachers in Karnataka, India : a state level epidemiological analysis

BACKGROUND

Cell phones are an integral part of modern day life and have become companions for individuals irrespective of age, gender and socio-economic status. In this study, we assessed the factors affecting risk of cell phone addiction among teachers attending Life Skills Training and Counselling Services (LSTCS) program in Karnataka.

METHODS

This cross sectional secondary data analysis utilised data from baseline assessment of trainees attending a Life Skills Training and Counselling Services program (LSTCP). Various factors hypothesised to be affecting risk of cell phone addiction (outcome) was analysed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. All the analysis was done using STATA 12.0 software.

RESULTS

Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted with risk of cell phone addiction as outcome. A conceptual framework of hypothesized exposure variables was developed based on expert consultation and literature review. Overall, data of 1981 participants was utilized. Gender (AOR=1.91; 95% CI=1.27-2.77), number of peers (AOR=1.01; 95 CI=1-1.008) and social quality of life (AOR=1.01; 95% CI=1.00-1.03) were associated with increased risk of cell phone addiction. Age (AOR=0.98; 95%CI=0.96-1.00), empathy (AOR=0.96;95%;CI=0.93-0.99), communication skills(AOR=0.92, 95%;CI=0.88-0.96) and physical quality of life (AOR=0.96; 95% CI=0.95-0.98) were associated with reduced risk of cell phone addiction.

CONCLUSIONS

This study on precursors of risk of cell phone addiction, conducted mostly among apparently healthy individuals, provide important insights into interventions to reduce risk of cell phone addiction. The complexity of associations between peers, gender, quality of life and risk of cell phone addiction needs further exploration.

Impact of online classes and home confinement on myopia progression in children during COVID-19 pandemic: Digital eye strain among kids (DESK) study 4

Purpose

This study was performed to compare the rate of progression of myopia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess the risk factors of hastened progression.

Methods

All children with myopia of spherical equivalence ≤ -0.5 D with at least two prior documented refractions 6 months and 1 year before were included. The annual progression rate before COVID-19 and during COVID-19 was calculated. Annual myopia progression was categorized as no progression (0), slow progression (<1 D), and fast progression (≥1 D).

Results

A total of 133 children (266 eyes) aged 6-18 years were included in the study. Mean annual myopia progression was found to be statistically significant during COVID-19 as compared with pre-COVID-19 (0.90 vs 0.25 D, P < 0.00001). A total of 45.9% of children showed an annual progression of ≥1 D during the pandemic as compared with 10.5% before the COVID-19 (p < 0.00001). In multivariate analysis, history of rapid progression in pre-COVID-19 era (P = 0.002) and sun exposure <1 h/day (P < 0.00001) were found to be independent risk factors for rapid myopia progression.

Conclusion

Parents should consider risk of rapid myopia progression in children during current pandemic and children should be provided with socially distant outdoor activities to increase their sun exposure and diminish the rate of myopia progression.

The association of mobile touch screen device use with parent-child attachment: a systematic review

Mobile touch screen devices (smartphones and tablet computers) have become an integral part of many parents' and children's lives, with this interaction linked to physical, mental and social outcomes. Despite the known importance of parent-child attachment, evidence on the association between device use and attachment was yet to be reviewed. Following protocol pre-registration, databases were searched, papers screened, and methodological quality assessed. Three papers met the inclusion criteria, and reported some negative associations between duration of parent/child smartphone use and attachment outcomes. A narrative synthesis on two groups of related papers found child time using any screen technology (including television viewing), and child 'problematic' internet, mobile phone, gaming and social media use, was negatively associated with attachment outcomes. Currently there is limited direct evidence on any association between time parents or children spend using these devices and parent-child attachment to support time guidelines for families and professionals working with families. Practitioner summary: Many parents and children regularly spend time using smartphones and tablet computers. This systematic review found limited evidence evaluating associations between child/adolescent or parent time using devices and parent-child attachment. Until quality evidence exists, practitioners should be alert to potential impacts of device use on family relationships and child outcomes.

Prevalence of smartphone addiction and its relation with sleep disturbance and low self- esteem among medical college students

BACKGROUND

Use of smartphone is on the increase worldwide. They have revolutionized our lives to an extent that was unimaginable before the pandemic. Excessive use of smartphones reaching the levels of potential addiction among medical students and its relation to individual's sleep quality and self-esteem led us to study this prevalence.

AIM

This stuay aimed to study the prevalence of smartphone addiction and its relation with self-esteem and sleep disturbance in medical college students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross sectional analytical study was carried out and the prevalence of smartphone addiction, self- esteem, and sleep disturbance was measured using standardized questionnaires smartphone addiction scale short form, Rosenberg self esteem scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index assessment respectively.

RESULTS

Prevalence of smartphone addiction among medical college students was 52%. Smartphone addiction was seen more in boys than girls. There was a significant association between the smartphone addiction and sleep disturbance. However, there was no significant association between smartphone addiction and low self-esteem.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of smartphone addiction among medical students is found to be high and is associated with poor sleep.

Effect of Maternal Factors on Problematic Smartphone Use among Elementary School Children

Mothers play a key role in ensuring their children’s healthy life. This study aimed to identify the maternal factors affecting problematic smartphone use in children. We adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design using structured questionnaires. Participants were fourth to sixth grade elementary school students in Korea (n = 184). The following maternal factors were evaluated: maternal mediation, children’s perception of mothers’ smartphone use, mother–child communication, and parenting style. Data regarding maternal factors’ effect on problematic smartphone use were analyzed by computing descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis using SPSS Win 27.0. The results show that the maternal factors that influenced problematic smartphone use in children were maternal control over smartphone usage (odds ratio (OR) = 5.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33–19.60), smartphone usage time for social network service (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.10–2.01), and problematic mother–child communication (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00–1.14). Therefore, to promote appropriate smartphone use among school children, it is necessary to develop an intervention comprising maternal supervision of their children’s smartphones, guidance provision for social network service usage, and strategies for the reinforcement of positive mother–child communication.

Understanding juveniles' problematic smartphone use and related influencing factors: A network perspective

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To understand the interaction between problematic smartphone use (PSU) and related influencing factors (individual variables, family environment, and school environment) and to determine the most influential factors affecting the use of smartphones by juveniles to implement effective interventions in the future.

METHODS

A total of 3,442 children and adolescents (3,248 actual participants (males = 1,638, average age = 12.27 ± 2.36)) were included in the study. This study measured juveniles' PSU and its influencing factors: individual variables (4 factors), family environments (13 factors), and school environments (5 factors). This study employed a network analysis approach for data assessment.

RESULTS

This study found that there were several central influencing factors (such as self-control ability, loss of control, parent-child relationship, and peer attitudes towards smartphone use) and bridge factors (such as peer attitudes towards smartphone use, peer pressure for smartphone use, and fear of missing out).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Juveniles' PSU included several core symptoms and critical influencing factors. Intervention based on these factors may be effective, timely, and inexpensive.

An Investigation into Smartphone Addiction with Personality and Sleep Quality among University Students

Over the past two decades, smartphones have become common, and the accompanying devices have also become much more popular and easily accessible worldwide. With the development of smartphones, accompanied by internet facilities, excessive smartphone use or smartphone addiction may cause sleep disturbance and daily dysfunction. This study proposed examining the association between personality traits and smartphone addiction and its effects on sleep disturbance. Four hundred and twenty-two university participants (80 male and 342 female participants) with a mean age of 20.22 years old were recruited in this study. All participants were asked to complete the following questionnaires: Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI), Tri-dimensional personality questionnaire (TPQ), and Chinese Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Index (CPSQI). The results showed that people with a high tendency toward novelty seeking (NS) as a personality trait, compared to those with lower tendency toward NS, are more likely to become addicted to smartphone use. Moreover, those with a stronger trait of being NS and specific impulsivity factor were found to have higher total scores in the SPAI (p < 0.05). In addition, linear regression analysis showed that the individuals with higher scores for withdrawal symptoms on the SPAI and anticipatory worry factor on the TPQ tended to have higher CPSQI total scores (p < 0.05). This information may be useful for prevention in individuals with personality traits making them vulnerable to smartphone addiction and for designing intervention programs to reduce intensive smartphone use and programs to increase capability in managing smartphone use.

Development and Psychometric Assessment of the Problematic QQ Use Scale among Adolescents

The QQ social media platform is very popular among Chinese adolescents. As with other social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.), there have been increasing reports that the use of QQ can be potentially problematic to a minority of users. However, unlike these other social media platforms, there is currently no scale to assess the risk of problematic QQ use. The present study developed the Problematic QQ Use Scale (PQQUS) among Chinese adolescents based on six core criteria of behavioral addiction (salience, tolerance, mood modification, loss of control, withdrawal, and conflict) that have been used in the development of other social media addiction scales. The scale was administered to a sample of 1008 Chinese school children to assess its psychometric properties, utilizing both classical test theory and item response theory. The analysis demonstrated that the PQQUS had good item discrimination indices relating to both CTT and IRT. The CFA results and Loevinger’s H-coefficient suggested the PQQUS had a unidimensional factor structure. The PQQUS had good internal reliability, good composite reliability, and good concurrent validity (based on correlations with measures of anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and life satisfaction). The invariance testing between boys and girls suggested this scale is a valid assessment tool for both groups. Overall, the PQQUS is a psychometrically robust tool for assessing problematic QQ use and will have a key role in further research on problematic QQ use among Chinese adolescents.

An examination of smartphone addiction and loneliness among high school students according to various variables: A sample from Turkey

PURPOSE

It was aimed to examine smartphone addiction and loneliness among high school students.

DESIGN AND METHOD

This descriptive and cross-sectional research was implemented with 1185 high school students. Data collection tools were "Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version," "UCLA Loneliness Scale," and "Parental Attitude Scale."

FINDINGS

As the level of addiction to smartphones rose, the percentage of students feeling lonely dropped (p < .001). Although the students' smartphone addiction was low, the rate of using the smartphone to be relieved of loneliness and for the purpose of the communication was high.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Education programs for improving the communication skills of adolescents that may be instrumental in reducing loneliness would in fact be effective in terms of smartphone usage and feelings of loneliness.

Daily Life Changes and Life Satisfaction among Korean School-Aged Children in the COVID-19 Pandemic

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has been disrupting the daily lives of people across the world, causing a major concern for psychological well-being in children. This study aimed to examine (1) how life satisfaction and its potential predictors have been affected by the pandemic among school-aged children in Korea, and (2) which factors would predict their life satisfaction during the pandemic. We surveyed 166 fourth-graders in the Seoul metropolitan area to assess their psychological well-being and potentially related variables during the pandemic. The data were compared with those available from two pre-COVID-19 surveys, the 2018 Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (n = 1236) and the 2019 Korean Children and Youth Well-being Index Survey (n = 334). Higher levels of stress were observed in children during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the level of their life satisfaction remained unchanged when compared with data from the pre-COVID-19 surveys. The pandemic also affected peer relationship quality and susceptibility to smartphone addiction, but not perceived parenting style nor academic engagement. Interestingly, peer relationship quality no longer predicted life satisfaction during the pandemic; perceived parenting styles and parent-child conversation time predicted life satisfaction. The results suggest a central role of parent-child relationship in supporting the psychological well-being of school-aged children during the pandemic.

The relationships between negative emotions and latent classes of smartphone addiction

The relationships between negative emotions and smartphone addiction has been tested through the literature. However, most of the studies applied variable-centered approaches. The heterogeneity of smartphone addiction severity has not been examined for the associations with negative emotion variables. The purposes of the present study is to explore the latent classes of smartphone addiction and analyze the relationships between depression, social anxiety and boredom and these subgroups. The Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and three negative emotion scales were employed to conduct a survey of 539 college students. Mplus8.3 software was applied to perform the latent class analysis (LCA) based on the smartphone addiction symptom ratings. ANOVA and multinomial logistic regression were used to explore the differences among these latent categories and the associations between these subgroups and negative emotion variables. Results demonstrated that Negative emotional variables were significantly correlated with smartphone addiction proneness. Based on their scores on the Smartphone Addiction Scale, smartphone users were divided into three latent classes: low risk class, moderate class and high risk class. Women were more likely to be classified in the high-risk class. The severity of depression and boredom was able to predict the membership of the latent class effectively; while social anxiety failed to do this in the high risk class.

Gender Differences in Parental Impact on Problematic Smartphone Use among Korean Adolescents

This study aimed to examine the effective parental impact in preventing problematic smartphone use in adolescents by identifying the parent-related factors. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from a Korean national survey was conducted. Data from 2758 male and 2419 female adolescents, aged 10 to 19 years, were analyzed; the respondents were divided into normal and risk groups based on their standardized smartphone addiction diagnostic scale scores. Parent-related factors of smartphone addiction were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Among both male and female adolescents, mobile messenger usage, and family environment emerged as significant predictors of problematic smartphone use. In addition, for male adolescents, smartphone use frequency and parent’s awareness of content use were significant predictors. The findings indicated the importance of parental roles in preventing problematic smartphone use in adolescents. Parents should create a healthy family environment by avoiding smartphone overuse and modeling the appropriate usage of smartphones.

Intergenerational Transmissions of Mother-Adolescent Smartphone Dependency: The Mediating Role of Negative Parenting and the Moderating Role of Gender

Given the prevalence and undesirable consequences of smartphone dependency among adolescents, it is necessary to explore the influencing factors of adolescent smartphone dependency. The aim of this study was to examine the intergenerational transmission of mother–adolescent smartphone dependency and the mediating role of negative parenting, moderated by adolescent gender. Data for 2541 middle school students (mean aged = 13 years)–mother dyads were obtained from the first wave of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 2018 (KCYPS 2018). The moderated mediation model using Hayes PROCESS macro (Model 14) was employed to test the study hypothesis. The moderated mediation model revealed that maternal smartphone dependency was associated with adolescent smartphone dependency. Perceived negative parenting mediated this link and adolescent gender moderated the relationship between negative parenting and adolescent smartphone dependency, especially for adolescent girls. Our findings showed that both maternal smartphone dependency and negative parenting were determinants of adolescent smartphone dependency, suggesting that both factors were important for understanding these issues. Moreover, the mediating role of negative parenting (between maternal and adolescent smartphone dependency) implies that parental education programs designed to improve negative parenting may reduce adolescent smartphone dependency, especially for adolescent girls.

Translation of the Chinese Version of the Nomophobia Questionnaire and Its Validation Among College Students: Factor Analysis

Background

Nomophobia or phobia of no mobile phone is the fear of being without a mobile phone or being unable to contact others via a mobile phone. It is a newly emerging psychiatric disorder among mobile phone users.

Objective

There are no psychometric scales available in China for examining nomophobia, although China has become the largest mobile phone handset consumer market in the world. Therefore, this study aimed to translate the original English version of a psychometric scale into Chinese and further examine its reliability and validity among Chinese college students.

Methods

The original version of the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) was first translated into Chinese using the backward and forward translation procedure. An exploratory factor analysis (a principal component analysis plus varimax rotation) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to examine the underlying factor structure of the translated questionnaire. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was determined by computing the Cronbach alpha coefficient, the test-retest reliability, and the corrected item-total correlation. A multivariate regression analysis was used for examining associations between nomophobia and independent variables among the college students.

Results

A total of 2000 participants were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 16 to 25 years, with 51.95% (1039/2000) being male participants. The Chinese version of NMP-Q retained 18 items. The eigenvalues, total variance explained, and scree plot jointly support a 4-factor structure of the translated questionnaire. The CFA reached the adaptive standard, and the discriminant validity of the scale was good. The Cronbach alpha coefficient of this scale was .925, and the Cronbach alpha coefficients of the subscales were .882, .843, .895, and .818. The test-retest reliability was 0.947. Corrected item-total correlation ranged from 0.539 to 0.663. The significant predictors for each of the dimensions of nomophobia and total score of the questionnaire were the average number of hours spent on a mobile phone daily and gender.

Conclusions

The Chinese version of the NMP-Q exhibited satisfactory psychometric properties.

Examining the associations between smartphone use and mother-infant bonding and family functioning: A survey design

Excessive smartphone use has been found to be associated with dysfunctional social and family relations. While most studies of this phenomenon have focused on adolescent and adult addiction, none has yet to focus on mothers with infants. This study examined the association of excessive smartphone use with mother-infant bonding, maternal mental health, and family functioning in Jordan. The predictive value of the study variables with respect to the level of smartphone use was evaluated. A descriptive correlational cross-sectional survey design was used. A sample of 114 mothers with infants was interviewed in person and completed a web-based questionnaire. Approximately 16% reported using smartphones 5 to 14 hours per day; 6.7% described themselves as smartphone addicts. The results suggest that excessive smartphone use may be linked to unhealthy family functioning. No associations were found between smartphone use and mother-infant bonding or maternal mental health. Raising awareness of this linkage and limiting smartphone use are recommended as precautionary measures. Although this study failed to find any association between smartphone use and mother-infant bonding, further studies using empirical methods might have better success.

Smartphone Use Patterns of Smartphone-dependent Children

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the smartphone use patterns of smartphone-dependent children.

Methods

The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The data were derived from the 2017 survey on smartphone overdependence conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency. The study sample was 595 elementary school students identified as being smartphone-dependent. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, the independent t-test, the χ² test, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis.

Results

The frequency of smartphone use was the factor strongly associated with more severe smartphone dependence in participants. Games were the most commonly used application type among participants, regardless of their degree of dependence. More severe smartphone dependence was associated with greater use of applications such as learning and television/video.

Conclusion

As smartphone dependence becomes more severe, children tend to use their smartphones more frequently and to use applications that involve solitary play for the purposes of entertainment and pleasure. The findings suggest that the parents should attentively monitor their children’s smartphone use patterns and provide consistent discipline in a way that ensures appropriate smartphone use.

Transitions in smartphone addiction proneness among children: The effect of gender and use patterns

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the incidence of transitions in smartphone addiction proneness (SAP) among children and examined the effects of gender, use patterns (social networking sites (SNSs) use and smartphone gaming) and depression on smartphone addiction transitions.

METHODS

A representative sample of 2,155 children from Taipei completed longitudinal surveys in both 2015 (5th grade) and 2016 (6th grade). Latent transition analysis (LTA) was used to characterize transitions in SAP and to examine the effects of gender, use patterns and depression on SAP transitions.

RESULTS

LTA identified four latent statuses of SAP: about half of the children were in non-SAP status, one-fifth were in tolerance status, one-sixth were in withdrawal status, and one-seventh were in high-SAP status. Both boys and girls had a higher prevalence of high-SAP and tolerance in 6th grade than in 5th grade, whereas in both grades boys had a higher prevalence of high-SAP and withdrawal, and girls had a higher prevalence of non-SAP and tolerance. Controlling for parents' education, family structure, and household income, higher use of SNSs by children, increasing use of mobile gaming and higher levels of depression were individually associated with increased odds of being in one of the three SAP statuses other than non-SAP. When all three covariates were jointly entered into the model, usage of SNSs and depression remained significant predictors.

CONCLUSION

Both boys and girls tended to transition to tolerance or high-SAP statuses, while children's depression and their usage of SNSs increased the risk of smartphone addiction.