Effect of Loneliness and Depressive Symptoms on Smartphone Overdependence among South Korean Adolescents: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Background: This study utilized data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey to determine impact of depressive symptoms and loneliness on smartphone overdependence among South Korean adolescents.Methods: performed a secondary analysis cross-sectional 16th (2020). Data (n=57,925 adolescents aged 12-18 years) were collected August November 2020 during coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The relationships between symptoms, loneliness, analyzed using complex sample multiple logistic regression analyses.Results: One-quarter had developed (30.0% girls 21.2% boys). Smartphone was influenced by regardless sex.Conclusions: Appropriate interventions policies should be resolve reducing adolescents’ loneliness. help provided these promote good mental health. Psychological vulnerability considered when providing educational or health management programs adolescents. measures for prevention early screening in adolescents, with increased interest minimizing related social problems.