Date of Conferral

7-8-2025

Degree

Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

School

Social Work

Advisor

Lindy Lewis

Abstract

Smartphones have become an integral part of society, resulting in increased adolescent dependence on smartphone applications. This dependence poses challenges for parents in managing the risk of problematic smartphone use among adolescents aged 11-17 years old. Rapid technological advancements have significantly reshaped parenting practices, necessitating greater adaptability and impacting adolescent development. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this correlational study examines how indulgent parenting and household composition, including demographic variables such as race, gender, education, employment, and income, predict parental self-efficacy in managing adolescent smartphone use. A convenience sample of 238 U.S. parents, with at least one adolescent aged 11-17 years, recruited through online surveys, completed the Parental Efficacy Smartphone Use Management Scale, the Parenting Scale, and a questionnaire inquiring about demographic variables. The findings of this study suggest that there is no predictive relationship between indulgent parenting, household composition, including race, gender, education level, employment status, and household income, in predicting parental self-efficacy in managing adolescents' smartphone use. A key recommendation is for the government and stakeholders to develop and evaluate digital literacy programs that promote digital well-being, responsible smartphone use, and effective parenting for both parents and adolescents. The implications for positive social change emphasize opportunities for educators, policymakers, and practitioners to develop supportive interventions that enhance parental self-efficacy, promote healthier smartphone habits, and foster more resilient digital family dynamics.

Download

Included in

Social Work Commons

Share

 
COinS