Meaning in Life and Self-Control Mediate the Potential Contribution of Harsh Parenting to Adolescents’ Problematic Smartphone Use: Longitudinal Multi-Group Analyses

Abstract

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has become an increasingly serious social issue that gradually impairs adolescents’ daily social functioning. This study aimed to examine the potential contribution of harsh parenting (HP) to PSU by testing a two-mediator model in which meaning in life (MIL) and self-control (SC) were hypothesized to be two mediators. The moderating role of gender was also examined. Eight hundred and twenty-eight middle school students from rural areas in China (mean age = 13.04) reported on harsh parenting, MIL, self-control, and PSU. Both parents also reported on each other’s harsh parenting and their child’s self-control. Multi-group structural equation modeling analyses revealed gender differences in the association patterns among the model variables. Harsh parenting was only indirectly associated with PSU for both boys and girls. MIL and self-control completely mediated the relation between harsh parenting and PSU in sequential manners for boys and girls. And for boys, beyond the common path from harsh parenting to PSU, another indirect path existed from harsh parenting to self-control to PSU. But jointly, MIL and self-control precipitate more indirect effects for girls than for boys in the association between harsh parenting and PSU. Findings suggested that harsh parenting was detrimental to adolescents’ MIL and self-control, which enhances their risk for PSU, especially for girls. These findings provide more insights for efforts to prevent adolescents from PSU.

The Relationship Between Harsh Parenting and Smartphone Addiction Among Adolescents: Serial Mediating Role of Depression and Social Pain

“…This finding is consistent with previous studies. 22 , 25 , 29 Furthermore, we conducted an additional analysis by distinguishing paternal and maternal harsh parenting styles, which also demonstrated a positive relationship between both parental styles and smartphone addiction. The family environment is a crucial setting for adolescent socialization, where the parenting style plays a decisive role in their development.…”

“…The family environment is a crucial setting for adolescent socialization, where the parenting style plays a decisive role in their development. 21 Extensive research has focused on harsh parenting and has indicated that adolescents exposed to prolonged abusive behavior, abusive emotions, and abusive attitudes from their parents may have internalization problems, 16 , 78 negative emotional experiences, 25 , 79 ultimately leading them to cope with these adverse feelings through maladaptive means, resulting in smartphone addiction.…”

“…In response to the stress caused by harsh parenting, individuals may adopt maladaptive strategies in order to alleviate negative feelings. 15 , 22 Previous research has demonstrated that negative parenting styles can lead to internalization problems in adolescents, 23 increase their risk of smartphone dependence, 24 , 25 and contribute to problematic internet use among this population. 26 , 27 Moreover, longitudinal studies have revealed that good family functioning acts as a protective factor against problematic internet use among adolescents.…”

Why is Smartphone Addiction More Common in Adolescents with Harsh Parenting? Depression and Experiential Avoidance‘s Multiple Mediating Roles

“… 18 In accord with this, adolescents who experience harsh parenting may pivot to excessive smartphone use as a mechanism to cope with their detrimental effects. 19 …”

“… 32 In accordance with the experiential avoidance model, the emergence of an irritating event causes individuals negative emotions, which are distressing and make them want to escape from it. 19 Nevertheless, due to the insufficiency of emotion management techniques, individuals will rapidly relieve the uncomfortable experience of negative feelings by avoidance (eg, self-injury, alcohol abuse, substance abuse, etc.). 19 Based on this model, the current study aimed to examine whether harsh parenting as an irritating event was likely to increase adolescents’ depression and experiential avoidance, then bringing about their avoidance behavior such as excessive smartphone use.…”