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The Longitudinal Association Between Habitual Smartphone Use and Peer Attachment: A Random Intercept Latent Transition Analysis

Author

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  • Haoyu Zhao

    (Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Michelle Dusko Biferie

    (Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Bowen Xiao

    (Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

  • Jennifer Shapka

    (Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)

Abstract

Although many peers socialize online, there is evidence that adolescents who spend too much time online are lonely, depressed, and anxious. This study incorporates habitual smartphone use as a new way of measuring smartphone engagement, based on the shortcomings of simply measuring ‘hours spent online’. Drawing on a large 2-year longitudinal study, the current research aims to investigate the association between habitual smartphone use and peer attachment among Canadian adolescents. A whole-school approach combined with a convenience sampling method was used to select our sample. A total of 1303 Canadian high school students (Grades 8–12; mage = 14.51 years, SD = 1.17 years; 50.3% females) who completed both waves of data collection were included in this study. A random intercept latent transition analysis (RI-LTA) was utilized to assess the association between habitual smartphone use (absent-minded subscale of the Smartphone Usage Questionnaire) and transition probabilities among profiles of peer attachment (Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment), after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, stress, family attachment, school connectedness, and social goals. Three profiles of peer attachment were identified: (Profile 1: weak communication and some alienation; Profile 2: strong communication, strong trust, and weak alienation; Profile 3: okay communication and high alienation). Results of multivariable RI-LTA indicated that increased habitual smartphone use was significantly associated with a heightened probability of transitioning from Profile 2 at Wave 1 to Profile 1 at Wave 2 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.003–1.46). Findings indicate that adolescents who are more habituated to their phones may become less attached to their peers over time. This offers insights for caregivers to focus on management and discussing smartphone engagement with adolescents to strengthen their attachment with peers.

Suggested Citation

  • Haoyu Zhao & Michelle Dusko Biferie & Bowen Xiao & Jennifer Shapka, 2025. "The Longitudinal Association Between Habitual Smartphone Use and Peer Attachment: A Random Intercept Latent Transition Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:489-:d:1620116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amanda Nickerson & Richard Nagle, 2004. "The Influence of Parent and Peer Attachments on Life Satisfaction in Middle Childhood and Early Adolescence," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 66(1), pages 35-60, April.
    2. Veronika Konok & Rebeka Szőke, 2022. "Longitudinal Associations of Children’s Hyperactivity/Inattention, Peer Relationship Problems and Mobile Device Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Shunsen Huang & Xiaoxiong Lai & Xinmei Zhao & Xinran Dai & Yuanwei Yao & Cai Zhang & Yun Wang, 2022. "Beyond Screen Time: Exploring the Associations between Types of Smartphone Use Content and Adolescents’ Social Relationships," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, July.
    4. Elena Delgado & Cristina Serna & Isabel Martínez & Edie Cruise, 2022. "Parental Attachment and Peer Relationships in Adolescence: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Xiaojing Li & Siqi Fu & Qiang Fu & Bu Zhong, 2021. "Youths’ Habitual Use of Smartphones Alters Sleep Quality and Memory: Insights from a National Sample of Chinese Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-12, February.
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