The Effects of Over-Parenting Behavior and Peer-Alienation on Adolescents’ School Adjustment: The Mediating of Smartphone Dependency and Focus on Multi Group Analysis between Boys and Girls

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of over-parenting behavior and peer-alienation on adolescents’ school adjustment and explores the mediating effects of smartphone dependency on the above relations. The subjects were 1,882 first grade students in middle school selected from the 7th year data of the 2010 Korea Children and Youth Panel Survey (2010 KCYPS). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, structural equational models, and Sobel test with SPSS 21.0 and Amos 18.0. The findings were as follows. First, there was no significant difference in the school adjustment according to gender. However, boys were higher in the perception of over-parenting behavior and peer-alienation, and girls were higher in smartphone dependency. Second, peer-alienation and smartphone dependency had negative impacts on the school adjustment. But over-parenting behavior had no significant effect on school adjustment. Third, smartphone dependency played a mediator role between over-parenting behavior and peer-alienation as well as the school adjustment. Fourth, there were no significant differences between boys and girls in the relations among over-parenting behavior, peer-alienation, smartphone dependency and school adjustment. But there was a slight difference in influence. The findings of this study suggest that interventions on how to use smartphone correctly are important for improving adolescents’ school adjustment. In addition, gender differences in school adjustment should be considered for a better understanding. Keywords: over-parenting behavior, peer-alienation, smartphone dependency, school adjustment, KCYPS