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Association between Smartphone Addiction and Suicide

Author

Listed:
  • Oyuntuya Shinetsetseg

    (Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Yun Hwa Jung

    (Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Yu Shin Park

    (Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Eun-Cheol Park

    (Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Suk-Yong Jang

    (Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Department of Healthcare Management, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the associations between smartphone overdependence (smartphone addiction) and suicidal ideation and attempts among Korean adolescents to acknowledge the risk of smartphone overuse. Methods: Data were obtained from the results of the 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Smartphone addiction was categorized into three groups: adolescents who scored less than 23 were categorized as the general user group and formed the reference, those with scores of 23–30 were categorized as the potential-risk user group, and those with scores higher than 31 were categorized under the high-risk user group. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempt were identified as dependent variables in the present study. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between SA and suicidal ideation and suicide attempt status among Korean adolescents. Results: This study included 41,173 general users of smartphones, 12,142 potential-risk users, and 1633 high-risk users from among 54,948 adolescents who were middle- and high-school students. Adolescents with potentially risky smartphone use showed a higher likelihood of suicidal ideation (OR: 1.50, CI: 1.42–1.60). Similarly, adolescents with high-risk smartphone use showed a significant risk of suicidal ideation (OR: 2.49, CI: 2.21–2.81) and suicide attempt (OR: 1.87, CI: 1.48–2.37) compared to the adolescents who were general users. Conclusion: Our study results encourage parents and social workers to acknowledge that adolescents’ smartphone addiction leads to a higher risk to their mental health, wherein they may engage in suicidal ideation and even resort to a suicide attempt.

Suggested Citation

  • Oyuntuya Shinetsetseg & Yun Hwa Jung & Yu Shin Park & Eun-Cheol Park & Suk-Yong Jang, 2022. "Association between Smartphone Addiction and Suicide," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11600-:d:915230
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jinhee Lee & Joung-Sook Ahn & Seongho Min & Min-Hyuk Kim, 2020. "Psychological Characteristics and Addiction Propensity According to Content Type of Smartphone Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-10, March.
    2. Min-Hyuk Kim & Seongho Min & Joung-Sook Ahn & Chisoo An & Jinhee Lee, 2019. "Association between high adolescent smartphone use and academic impairment, conflicts with family members or friends, and suicide attempts," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(7), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Longstreet, Phil & Brooks, Stoney & Gonzalez, Ester S., 2019. "Internet addiction: When the positive emotions are not so positive," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 76-85.
    4. Luxton, D.D. & June, J.D. & Fairall, J.M., 2012. "Social media and suicide: A public health perspective," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(S2), pages 195-200.
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