The Effect of Children’s Smartphone Overdependence on Problem Behaviors: The Mediating Effect of Sleep Problems

Abstract

Objectives: This study explored the relationship between early elementary school children’s smartphone overdependence, sleep problems, and problem behaviors. Specifically, it examined the direct effect of children’s smartphone overdependence on problem behaviors and the indirect effect of their smartphone overdependence on problem behaviors through sleep problems.Methods: About 283 mothers rearing first to third grade elementary school children (135 boys and 148 girls) answered questionnaires on their children’s smartphone overdependence, sleep problems, and problem behaviors. The Model 4 of PROCESS macro version 3.4 was used for data analysis.Results: First, children’s smartphone overdependence had a positive effect on their internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. Children who were highly dependent on smartphones exhibited more internalizing or externalizing problem behaviors. Second, children’s smartphone overdependence had a positive effect on sleep problems, which in turn had a positive effect on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. Children who were highly dependent on smartphones experienced more sleep problems, which increased their internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors.Conclusion: Sleep problems mediated the relationship between smartphone overdependence and problem behaviors among early elementary school children, who have not received adequate attention from researchers. The results are meaningful because they confirm the underlying mechanism through which children’s smartphone overdependence impacts their problem behaviors. These results can be used to prevent children’s problem behaviors or reduce their sleep problems by parents rearing early elementary school children or experts providing parent education.