Effects of Smartphone Overdependence and the Quality of Friendship on Depression among High School Students.
Son Sung-Min, Jeon Byoung-Jin
PMID 35655944WHAT IT FOUND
Among 121 Korean high school students, higher smartphone overdependence and lower friendship quality were both linked to more depression.
The study did not test treatment, so it does not show changing either would help.
Key findings
01In 121 high school students, higher smartphone overdependence was associated with higher depression.
02Higher quality of friendship was associated with lower depression.
03In the regression model, smartphone overdependence was associated with higher depression and quality of friendship was associated with lower depression.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The students were sampled by convenience from one school, so the results may not apply to other schools or countries. The study had a single-group design and no comparison group, so it cannot show differences between groups. The data were self-report online surveys collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, so responses may depend on what students chose to report. The study analysed associations and regression, not an intervention, so it does not show that a change in smartphone use or friendship quality would reduce depression. The authors did not analyse smartphone overdependence subfactors or test causal or mediating paths.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that smartphone overdependence causes depression. The study used a single-group survey of 121 students from one school. It did not compare groups or test an intervention.