Smartphone Addiction among Taiwanese Adolescents: A Multilevel Analysis of Influencing Factors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22161/jhed.7.6.12Abstract
Smartphone addiction among adolescents has become a global public health concern, particularly in regions with high mobile device penetration such as Taiwan. Drawing upon Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this study investigates the multilevel factors influencing smartphone addiction among Taiwanese adolescents. Using data from the Taiwan Open Government Educational Database (N = 5,000), this paper employed multilevel structural equation modeling (ML-SEM) to examine the interplay between individual-level factors (learning motivation, peer relationships, teacher–student relationships) and school-level contextual factors (school environment, teacher support). Results indicated that higher learning motivation and positive teacher–student relationships were associated with lower smartphone addiction, while stronger peer influence predicted higher addiction levels. Teacher–student relationships partially mediated the relationship between learning motivation and smartphone addiction. At the school level, a positive school environment and strong teacher support significantly reduce addiction risks. Furthermore, teacher support moderated the impact of learning motivation on smartphone addiction. These findings highlight the necessity of integrated individual- and school-level interventions to mitigate smartphone addiction among adolescents. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
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