Relationship between Peer Relationships and Problematic Smartphone Use among Female Adolescents: The Mediating Effect of Depression

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the mediating effects of depression on the relationship between peer relationships and problematic smartphone use in female adolescents.Methods: Secondary analysis was performed on data from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey in 2018, a national survey conducted by Korea’s National Youth Policy Institute. Data from 1,141 female adolescents were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with independent t-test and 1-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis. The significance of the mediating effect was verified using PROCESS macro model 4.Results: The direct effects of both positive and negative peer relationships increased problematic smartphone use in female adolescents. Negative peer relationships increased problematic smartphone use via the mediating effects of depression, whereas positive peer relationships reduced problematic smartphone use via the mediating effects of depression.Conclusion: Problematic smartphone use among female adolescents can be reduced by lowering the incidence of depression and developing interventions aimed at helping them resolve conflicts with friends and cope with negative emotions.