The Structural Model in Parenting Style, Attachment Style, Self-regulation and Self-esteem for Smartphone Addiction

Authors: Kwan Hoi Ching and Leung Man Tak, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Hong Kong
Email: marthakwanhc@gmail.com
Published: August 4, 2017
https://doi.org/10.22492/ijpbs.3.1.06

Citation: Kwan, H. C., & Leung, M. T. (2017). The Structural Model in Parenting Style, Attachment Style, Self-regulation and Self-esteem for Smartphone Addiction. IAFOR Journal of Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.22492/ijpbs.3.1.06


Abstract

Excessive smartphone usage has become a highly controversial and substantial worldwide issue. This paper explores the complexities and challenges of smartphone addiction with a particular focus on parenting styles, attachment, and self-regulation. Convenience sampling was used to gather data from 211 university students in Hong Kong (138 females/74 males) through their responses to four questionnaires. One structural equation model was formed successfully which indicated that parenting style (authoritative or permissive) could be a reasonable predictor of attachment style (secure or dismissive) and self-regulation (impulse control or goal setting) for smartphone addictions (positive anticipation, withdrawal, cyberspace relationship or overuse). Parenting style was a positive correlate to predict attachment, while the attachment positive correlated to predict self-regulation. Self-regulation was a negative correlate to smartphone addiction. It was revealed that a positive parenting style and positive attachment style could form a significant model with self-regulation and smartphone addiction. Furthermore, secure attachment had higher mediation effect, while impulse control and goal setting behavior had a fair mediation power over influencing addiction tendency. This model helped explore the relationships between smartphone addiction and other constructs in educational psychology. Based on findings, educators can gain insights into how parenting and self-regulation can influence the tendency towards excessive smartphone usage. More educational programs which aim at promoting adequate parenting skills, motivating children through self-regulation and goal setting, is proposed through this study.

Keywords

smartphone addiction, parenting style, attachment style, self-regulation


Correction

On September 18, 2017, the PDF for the article entitled "The Structural Model in Parenting Style, Attachment Style, Self-regulation and Self-esteem for Smartphone Addiction” was republished to correct an error in an author’s name.

In the previous version of the article, the name of one of the authors was incorrectly spelled as “Leung Mak Tak”. The correct spelling for this author’s name is “Leung Man Tak".