Factors Associated with Smartphone Dependence of Late School-Aged Children: A Focus on Grit and Family Strengths

Abstract

This study was to identify the factors influencing smartphone dependence among late schoolaged children, focusing on grit and family strengths.A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 218 children in grades 5 and 6 who were recruited from elementary schools in U and Y cities. The data were collected through self-reported questionnaires, including smartphone dependence, grit, family strengths and general characteristics, for the month of December 2019, just before the novel coronavirus pandemic after obtaining approval from IRB. The collected data were analyzed using multiple regression.Smartphone usage time, the main purpose of smartphone usage (game and social networking), and grit were identified as significant factors of smartphone dependence. This model explained 38% of the total variance showing the variable of grit with the greatest variance.A strategy to develop grit is needed to reduce smartphone dependence among late school-age children.