Christian Spirituality and Smartphone Addiction in Adolescents: A Comparison of High-Risk, Potential-Risk, and Normal Control Groups

J Relig Health. 2019 Aug;58(4):1272-1285. doi: 10.1007/s10943-018-00751-0.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to compare aspects of Christian spirituality such as God's image and sense of spiritual well-being among three groups: the high-risk, potential-risk and normal control groups for smartphone addiction. Participants were: 11 adolescents in the high-risk group for smartphone addiction; 20 adolescents who were potentially at risk of smartphone addiction, and 254 adolescents who were in the normal control group. The results showed that the high-risk group for smartphone addiction adolescent group showed low levels of spiritual well-being and positive image of God comparing to those in the potential-risk and control groups. Each group had specific and distinctive features. Consideration of potential clinical interventions, limitations of the current study, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Keywords: Adolescents; Christian spirituality; God’s image; Smartphone addiction; Spiritual well-being.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Behavior, Addictive*
  • Child
  • Christianity*
  • Control Groups
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Republic of Korea
  • Smartphone*
  • Spirituality*