Influencing factors of mental health related to smartphone overdependence among adolescents in Korea: Findings from the 19th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Objectives This study aimed to analyze mental health outcomes and influencing factors associated with smartphone overdependence among adolescents in Korea. Methods A composite sample analysis was conducted on 52,875 participants who met the study criteria. The general characteristics of adolescents' smartphone overdependence, along with mental health variables (happiness, stress, depression, loneliness, and suicidal ideation), were assessed using the Rao-Scott chi square test. Factors influencing mental health outcomes related to smartphone overdependence (subjective happiness, stress, depression, loneliness, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) were further examined using complex sample logistic regression. Results The analysis revealed significant differences by gender, academic performance, economic status, subjective health, subjective body type, subjective sleep satisfaction, subjective happiness, stress, depression, loneliness, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in relation to smartphone overdependence among adolescents. Key mental health factors associated with smartphone overdependence included stress, depression, loneliness, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Adolescents experiencing stress had a 0.95 times lower likelihood of smartphone overdependence compared to those without stress. Conversely, adolescents who reported being depressed were 1.07 times more likely to exhibit smartphone overdependence, while those experiencing loneliness were 1.11 times more likely to be overdependent on smartphones. Adolescents with moderate adolescents were 1.98 times more likely, and those with high anxiety were 2.88 times more likely, to be overdependent on smartphones than adolescents with mild anxiety. Likewise, adolescents with suicidal ideation were 1.10 times more likely to exhibit smartphone overdependence. Conclusions These findings underscore the need for a multifaceted approach incorporating mental health considerations in programs designed to promote healthy smartphone use among adolescents with a tendency for overdependence.