The Influence of Parental Attachment on School Life Adjustment in Early Adolescence: The Mediating Effect of Internet Use Type

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of internet use type on the relationship between parental attachment and school life adjustment. Methods: For this study, data were drawn from 4th wave panel data of Korea Children and Youth Panel Survey. 1,537 1st graders of middle school were used for analysis. Results: The results of this study were summarized as follows. First, adolescents’ parental attachment positively influenced school life adjustment. Second, study oriented internet use positively influenced school life adjustment. However, entertainment oriented internet use negatively influenced school life adjustment, and relation oriented internet use did not influence school life adjustment. Third, study and entertainment oriented internet use mediated parental attachment and school life adjustment. However, relation oriented internet use did not mediate parental attachment and school life adjustment. Conclusion: The discovery that study oriented internet is a factor that can improve school life adjustment carries a significant meaning. Based on the results, some implications are discussed to improve school life adjustment in early adolescence. Keywords: Parental attachment, School life adjustment, Internet use type, Early adolescence