The Effects of Parent’s Smartphone Overdependence on Children’s Smartphone Overdependence: Serial Mediating Effects of Parenting Attitudes, Child’s Self-esteem and Depression

Objectives This study aims to examine the serial multiple mediating effects of parental smartphone overdependence on children's smartphone overdependence through parenting attitudes, children’s self-esteem, and depression. Methods Using data from the 2018 Korean Children and Youth Panel Study (KCYPS) Wave 5, this study analyzed 2,223 second-year middle school students and their parents. The serial multiple mediating effects were verified using SPSS 23.0 and Mplus 8.11 programs, and the statistical significance of the mediating effects was confirmed through bootstrapping analysis. Results The findings revealed a serial multiple mediating effect of parental attitudes, children's self-esteem, and depression in the relationship in the relationship between parental smartphone overdependence and children's smartphone overdependence. Parental smartphone overdependence led to increased negative attitudes, which subsequently lowered children's self-esteem and increased depression, ultimately leading to increased smartphone overdependence in children. These serial mediating effects were statistically significant. Conclusions This study confirmed that children’s smartphone overdependence is influenced by parental factors as well as individual psychological and emotional factors. To address the problem of smartphone overdependence in children, integrated intervention strategies are needed to improve parents' smartphone usage habits, cultivate positive parenting attitudes, and promote children's self-esteem while reducing depression.