A Structural Equation Model on Korean Adolescents' Excessive Use of Smartphones.

PURPOSE: We develop a unified structural model that defines multi-relationships between systematic factors causing excessive use of smartphones and the corresponding results.

METHODS: We conducted a survey with adolescents who live in Seoul, Pusan, Gangneung, Donghae, and Samcheok from Feb. to Mar. 2016. We utilized SPSS Ver. 22 and Amos Ver. 22 to analyze the survey result at a 0.05 significance level. To investigate demographic characteristics of the participants and their variations, we employed descriptive analysis. We adopted the maximum likelihood estimate method to verify the fitness of the hypothetical model and the hypotheses therein. We used χ2 statistics, GFI, AGFI, CFI, NFI, IFI, RMR, and RMSEA to verify the fitness of our structural model.

RESULTS: (1) Our proposed structural model demonstrated a fine fitness level. (2) Our proposed structural model could describe the excessive use of a smartphone with 88.6% accuracy. (3) The absence of the family function and relationship between friends, impulsiveness, and low self-esteem were confirmed as key factors that cause excessive use of smartphones. (4) Further, impulsiveness and low self-esteem are closely related to the absence of family functions and relations between friends by 68.3% and 54.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: We suggest that nursing intervention programs from various angles are required to reduce adolescents' excessive use of smartphones. For example, family communication programs would be helpful for both parents and children. Consultant programs about friend relationship also meaningful for the program.