The Impact of Social Withdrawal on Smartphone Overdependence in Youth: The Mediating Effect of a Peer Support System

Background and Purpose: Approximately 24% of social withdrawal cases in young adulthood originate during adolescence, underscoring the importance of early intervention. Many Korean adolescents remain partially or actively engaged in online activities, likely due to Korea’s advanced digital infrastructure. These youth often perceive online environments as safer due to underdeveloped social skills, with interpersonal difficulties serving as a primary cause of withdrawal. However, 70% express a desire to return to typical social life, highlighting the critical role of restoring interpersonal relationships. Given that adolescence is a developmental stage in which peer relationships are central, peer support emerges as a key interpersonal factor. To date, interventions for socially withdrawn youth have largely focused on emotional counseling. However, interpersonal relationships and peer support should be considered not only as contributing factors but also as a potential solution to withdrawal. Thus, this study investigates the relationship between social withdrawal and smartphone overdependence among adolescents and explores whether peer support mediates this relationship.

Method: This study utilized data from the fourth wave of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS), conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute in 2018. A total of 2,244 first-year high school students were included in the analysis. Social withdrawal was measured using a five-item, 4-point Likert scale, including items such as “I feel awkward when there are many people around me.” Smartphone overdependence was assessed with a 15-item 4-point Likert scale (α = .86), including items like “My academic performance suffers due to excessive smartphone use.” Peer support was measured using a 13-item 4-point Likert scale (α = .85), with statements such as “I spend time with my friends.” The control variables included socio-economic status, academic helplessness, self-esteem, and depression. The PROCESS Macro (Model 4) was used to test the mediation model.

Results: The mediation model demonstrated a good fit (R² = .22, p < .001). Social withdrawal significantly predicted increased smartphone overdependence (β = .05, p < .05) and reduced peer support (β = −.12, p < .001). Peer support was negatively associated with smartphone overdependence (β = −.09, p < .001). Bootstrapping confirmed the significance of the total effect (β = .06), direct effect (β = .05), and indirect effect (β = .01), indicating partial mediation. These findings suggest that social withdrawal increases smartphone dependency both directly and indirectly by weakening peer support.

Conclusions and Implications: Grounded in the stress-vulnerability model, this study highlights how social withdrawal (as a stressor) and peer support (as a protective factor) interact to influence smartphone overdependence among adolescents. The findings indicate that socially withdrawn adolescents are more likely to become overdependent on smartphones, while peer support can mitigate this effect. Although online communication may provide temporary relief, it can hinder the development of offline social skills and reinforce passive coping strategies. Therefore, interventions should go beyond regulating smartphone use and prioritize peer-based emotional support. Early identification of at-risk youth and efforts to cultivate stable peer relationships are essential in preventing progression to severe social isolation or reclusive behaviors.