Science of Emotion and Sensibility (감성과학)

Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility (한국감성과학회)
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Connected Yet Isolated: Analyzing the Impact of Smartphone Dependency on Adolescent Suicide Risk Through the Interplay of Loneliness and Stress

연결된 세상, 고립된 청소년: 스마트폰 의존성이 외로움과 스트레스를 통해 자살 위험에 미치는 영향 분석

  • Kyueun Han
  • 한규은 (상명대학교 계당교양교육원)
  • Received : 2024.11.14
  • Accepted : 2024.12.05
  • Published : 2024.12.31
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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.

청소년의 스마트폰 과다 사용에 대한 우려가 증가함에 따라, 스마트폰 의존과 과다 사용이 정신 건강에 미치는 잠재적 영향에 대한 관심이 집중되고 있다. 그러나 스마트폰 의존과 자살 시도 간의 관계에 대한 직접적인 실증 연구는 여전히 부족한 실정이다. 본 연구는 이러한 연구 공백을 메우기 위해, 청소년의 스마트폰 의존, 외로움, 그리고 자살 시도 간의 관계를 검토하고자 한다. 2023년 질병관리청의 조사 자료를 활용하여 800개 중⋅고등학교의 52,880명의 학생을 분석한 결과, 스마트폰 의존도가 높은 청소년들은 지난 1년간 외로움과 자살 시도를 보고할 가능성이 유의미하게 높은 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 외로움은 스마트폰 의존과 자살 시도 간의 관계를 부분적으로 매개하는 것으로 밝혀져, 스마트폰의 과다 사용이 사회적 고립을 촉진하여 자살 위험을 증가시킬 수 있음을 시사한다. 아울러, 일상 스트레스는 중요한 조절 변수로 작용하는 것으로 나타났다. 스마트폰 의존, 외로움, 자살 위험 간의 연관성은 높은 스트레스 수준을 가진 청소년에게서 더욱 강하게 나타났다. 이러한 연구 결과는 외로움과 스트레스와 같은 심리사회적 요인이 스마트폰 사용과 정신 건강 위험 간의 연관성에서 중요한 역할을 한다는 점을 부각시킨다. 본 연구는 청소년의 스마트폰 과다 의존을 방지하고, 사회적 관계 강화를 중시할 필요성을 제안하며, 특히 스트레스 수준이 높은 청소년의 스마트폰 사용에 대해 더욱 많은 주의를 기울여야 함을 강조한다.

Keywords

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