A Qualitative Case Study of Smartphone Overdependence among Out-of-School Adolescents
Title
A Qualitative Case Study of Smartphone Overdependence among Out-of-School Adolescents
Alternative Author(s)
Jeon, HyeSook
Keyword
Out-of-School Adolescents
; Smartphone Overdependence
; Case Study
Publication Year
2023-06-30
Publisher
Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs
Citation
Health and Social Welfare Review Vol.43 No.2, pp.48-72
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the experience and measures to mitigate smartphone overdependence among out-of-school adolescents. The in-depth interviews were conducted with six out-of-school adolescents. The data were analyzed by the case study method, including contextual understanding and key issue identification for each case, and identification of common themes running across all cases. The following five themes were derived: 1) the killing time and what you do when you’re bored; 2) the connection with friends; 3) the ambivalence of opportunity and crisis; 4) the drug-like existence where anxiety and temptation coexist; 5) the helpful measures for reducing smartphone overdependence. According to the main findings, the following clinical implications for mitigating smartphone over-dependence among out-of-school adolescents were suggested: providing alternative activities; services for the improvement of friendship and parent-child relationships; providing information that enhances understanding of hazards and services related to smartphone over-dependence through enhancing accessibility of channels; individual counseling with parents; and providing activity-oriented group programs.