SMARTPHONE ADDICTION AND BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES IN SOUTH KOREA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Abstract

Purpose of the study: There is considerable debate on smartphone addiction and its relationship with behavioral outcomes however in literature there is only one meta-analysis in the country-specific context and none in the South Korean context. Ranked 6th based on smartphone penetration in the world it is imperative to quantify the association. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted to collect published sources about smartphone addiction and its relationships with behavioral outcomes. The identified sources were evaluated for appropriateness and inclusion in the meta-analysis was made. Thirty-one studies were included in the Meta-analysis providing data from 32 samples (n=11,002) and presented associations with 13 behavioral outcomes. Main Findings: Meta-analytical tests presented a positive and significant relationship between smartphone addiction and the overall subject’s behavioral outcomes. Among the behavioral outcomes identified through the systematic review, six had significant while seven had an insignificant association with smartphone addiction. Lastly, these behavioral outcomes were quantitatively classified into 6 groups based on direction, significance, and heterogeneity of their reported effects. Overall smartphone addiction has a significant role in modifying certain behaviors of an individual. Applications of this study: The results of this study enforce the opinion that smartphone addiction tends to significantly enhance negative behavioral outcomes while limits positive outcomes in the South Korean population. Novelty/Originality of this study: This is the first country-specific study conducted regarding smartphone addiction. This is also the first meta-analysis study conducted which evaluated the effects of smartphone addiction on multiple behavior outcomes.