• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.471-482
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• 2015

This study aimed to demonstrate the complex and structural relationships between (a) the purposes of using mobile phones, and (b) the levels of mobile phone dependency and depressive symptoms among elementary school students. We analyzed data from the 3rd Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey using structural modeling. Results showed the level of mobile phone usage for contacting family members negatively affected the mobile phone dependency. However, the levels of mobile phone usage for contacting friends and personal entertainment positively influenced the mobile phone dependency. Mobile phone dependency positively affected depressive symptoms. Mobile phone dependency partially mediated the relationship between the level of mobile phone usage for contacting family members and depressive symptoms. Mobile phone dependency fully mediated two relationships: (1) between the level of mobile phone usage for contacting friends and depressive symptoms and (2) between the level of mobile phone usage for personal entertainment and depressive symptoms.