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Association between changes in self-esteem and smartphone dependency among Korean adolescents
Ah Jung Ko1,2, Yu Shin Park2,3, Jinhyun Kim2,4,5
1Department of Health Policy & Management, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Plos One
|December 10, 2025
Summary
Adolescent smartphone addiction risk increases with declining or consistently low self-esteem. Maintaining stable self-esteem is crucial for preventing smartphone dependency and associated health issues in young people.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Adolescent Development
Background:
- Rising smartphone ownership presents risks for adolescent mental health.
- Self-esteem development is critical during adolescence.
- Smartphone addiction is a growing concern among young people.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal association between changes in self-esteem and smartphone dependency in adolescents.
- To identify specific self-esteem trajectories linked to increased smartphone dependency.
- To provide evidence for interventions aimed at mitigating smartphone addiction.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study analyzing 1,971 Korean middle school students over five years (2018-2022).
- Annual measurement of self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and smartphone dependency via the Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale.
- Generalized Estimating Equations model used to assess the relationship between self-esteem changes (stable high, declining, stable low) and smartphone dependency.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with consistently low self-esteem or declining self-esteem showed significantly higher odds of smartphone dependency.
- This association was observed in both males and females, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 2.04 to 2.21.
- Stable high self-esteem was associated with a lower risk of smartphone dependency.
Conclusions:
- Stable self-esteem during adolescence is a protective factor against smartphone dependency.
- Interventions focusing on enhancing and maintaining adolescent self-esteem may help reduce smartphone addiction rates.
- Longitudinal research is vital for understanding the dynamic interplay between psychological factors and technology use in youth.
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