| Abstract |
| The excessive use of smartphones among adolescents has raised concerns regarding its potential mental health implications, yet direct empirical evidence establishing the relationship between smartphone dependency and suicidal behavior remains limited. To address this gap, this study investigates the relationship between smartphone dependency, loneliness, and suicidal attempts in adolescents. Utilizing data from the 2023 Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency survey, which included 52,880 students from 800 middle and high schools, the analysis revealed that adolescents with higher levels of smartphone dependency exhibited increased likelihood of reporting loneliness and suicidal attempts within the past year. Loneliness partially mediated the relationship between smartphone dependency and suicidal behavior, suggesting that excessive smartphone use may increase suicidal risk by sustaining social isolation. Notably, perceived stress emerged as a significant moderator; adolescents with higher levels of stress demonstrated a stronger association between smartphone dependency, loneliness, and suicidal risk. These findings highlight the critical role of psychosocial factors, such as loneliness and stress, in the relationship between smartphone use and mental health risks. Preventive interventions should emphasize balanced technology use and strengthen social connections, specifically among adolescents facing heightened stress levels. |
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| Key Words |
| 스마트폰 의존성, 청소년 정신건강, 자살 시도, 외로움, 스트레스, Smartphone Dependency, Adolescent Mental Health, Suicidal Behavior, Loneliness, Stress |
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