The Effects of Adolescents’ Relationships With Parents and School/institute Teachers as Protective Factors on Smartphone Addiction: Comparative Analysis of Elementary, Middle, and High School Levels in South Korea

Abstract

This study was conducted for the purpose of empirically analyzing the effects of adolescents’ relationships with major adults as protective factors for smartphone addiction. Specifically, the study compared the discriminatory effects of adolescents’ relationships with their parents, school teachers, and educational institute teachers on smartphone addiction among elementary, middle, and high school students in Korea. Analyzing the data of the 2019 Korean Children & Youth Happiness Index (*N*=7,454), it was found that relationships with adults were significant factors in explaining the level of smartphone addiction even after controlling for the influences of adolescents’ demographics, usage time, and friendship factors. For elementary school students, good relationships with their mothers and school teachers decreased the risk of smartphone addiction. On the other hand, in the case of middle school students, only a good relationship with father functioned as a protective factor. Good relationships with their fathers and institute teachers decreased the level of high school students’ smartphone addiction. Based on these findings, this study discussed on the development of programs and policies for prevention and intervention of adolescents’ smartphone addiction and provided suggestions for follow-up research in the future.