The Effects of Adolescents' Smartphone Overdependence on Sexual Attitudes : The Moderating Role of Parenting Attitudes

This study examined the effects of adolescents’ smartphone overdependence has on sexual attitudes, moderated by parental attitudes. An online survey was conducted with middle school students, resulting in data collected from 223 participants. The survey measured adolescents' smartphone overdependence, sexual attitudes, and parenting attitudes, which were further categorized into positive and negative parenting styles. The results of the study were as follows. First, adolescents' smartphone overdependence was negatively associated with their sexual attitudes. In other words, greater dependence on smartphones was associated with less healthy sexual attitudes. Second, positive parenting attitudes were positively associated with adolescents' sexual attitudes. Warm, supportive, and reasonable parenting styles contributed to healthier sexual attitudes among adolescents. Third, positive parenting attitudes significantly moderated the relationship between smartphone overdependence and sexual attitudes, buffering the negative effects of smartphone overdependence.