The Influence of Middle School Students’ Perception of Parenting Styles on Adaptation to School Life: The Mediation Effect of Smartphone Dependency

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the structural relationship among parent’s parenting style, smartphone dependency and adaptation to school life. Also this study aimed to identify the mediation effects of smartphone dependency on the relationship between parenting styles and adaptation to school life. This study used the 2018 Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey. Specifically, this study used the 2,590 1st grade of middle school panel student samples. The results are as follows: Firstly, positive parenting style had a significant positive effect on adaptation to school life. Negative parenting style had a significant positive effect on smartphone dependency. But, negative parenting style had a significant negative effect on adaptation to school life. Secondly, smartphone dependency had a partially mediating effect on the relationship between negative parenting styles and adaptation to school life. These findings confirmed that parenting style and smartphone dependency should be taken into consideration to help middle school students better adapt to their school life.