earticle

영어

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the structural relationship among maternal depression, adolescents' depression, and smartphone overdependence that influences externalizing problems in adolescents. Methods: This study used the data from 1,080 first-year middle school students from the 14th (2021) Panel Study on Korean Children by the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education. The data were analyzed by a structural equation model based on the least squares method using SmartPLS, and bootstrapping was utilized to confirm the mediating effect in the research model. Results: The direct paths of maternal depression, adolescent depression, and smartphone overdependence leading to externalizing problems in middle school students were all significant. Additionally, in the relationship between maternal depression and adolescent externalizing problems, the simple and sequential mediating effects of adolescent depression and smartphone overdependence were significant. Conclusion: It was found that maternal depression, adolescent depression, and smartphone overdependence not only directly influenced adolescents' externalizing problems but also did so through mediating paths among the influencing factors. Therefore, an integrated and systematic strategy that considers the mental health status and smartphone overdependence of adolescents, including the impact of maternal depression, is needed to take a customized approach to externalizing problems in adolescents.