Examining the Relationship between Life Satisfaction, Smartphone Addiction, and Maternal Parenting Behavior: A South Korean Example of Mothers with Infants

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between maternal life satisfaction, smartphone addiction, and parenting behavior in order to protect and promote sustainable well-being of mothers as well as children throughout their lifetimes and quality of life in the family system. Self-report questionnaires were used on 328 Korean mothers with children aged 3 to 5 years. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. Results revealed that maternal life satisfaction had a significant and direct influence on parenting behavior, and its indirect influence on parenting behavior was mediated by smartphone addiction tendency. The findings confirm that a mother’s psychological well-being (life satisfaction) and smartphone addiction tendency are preceding factors for positive maternal parenting behavior. Significant attention must be paid to parents’ psychological well-being to promote children’s healthy development from very early on in life.