Mediating Effect of Loneliness on Anxiety and Smartphone Overdependence among Korean Adolescents: Based on the 16th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between anxiety and smartphone overdependence among Korean adolescents.Methods: This national cross-sectional secondary study used data from the 16th (2020) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The sample comprised 54,948 adolescents in middle and high schools. The mediating effects were analyzed using the procedure of Baron and Kenny and the Sobel test. Results: Anxiety impacted both loneliness and smartphone overdependence (P<0.001). Additionally, loneliness was identified as a factor influencing smartphone overdependence (P<0.001). Loneliness demonstrated a statistically significant mediating effect in the relationship between anxiety and smartphone overdependence (P<0.001).Conclusions: It was concluded that smartphone overdependence increases with the heightened maladaptive emotions of adolescents, such as anxiety and loneliness. These findings confirmed the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between anxiety and smartphone overdependence.