ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2026
Paternal parenting styles, smartphone addiction and the mediating role of self-efficacy in adolescents.
Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundAlthough the global risks of adolescent smartphone addiction (SA) and the effects of parenting styles are widely recognised, research has predominantly focused on maternal or both parents' roles. Paternal parenting styles and their potential mediating pathways for SA remain understudied. This study aimed to examine associations between paternal parenting styles and SA among Chinese adolescents as well as the potential mediating role of self-efficacy of mental addiction which refers to an individual's confidence in their ability to resist, control or avoid engaging in potentially addictive behaviours, particularly SA.
methodsWe conducted a 1-year longitudinal study using stratified cluster random sampling to recruit 8825 adolescent students in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires in October 2022 and October 2023. The associations between paternal parenting styles and SA were analysed using generalised estimating equation models. Then the mediation effects of self-efficacy of mental addiction between paternal parenting styles and SA were tested through bootstrapping analyses (5000 resamples). Finally, subgroup analysis tested the robustness of the results.
resultsPaternal rejection (OR=1.13, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.14) and overprotection (OR=1.09, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.10) were significantly associated with increased risk of SA, while paternal emotional warmth (OR=0.94, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.95) and self-efficacy of mental addiction (OR=0.70, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.71, all p<0.001) were significantly associated with decreased risk of SA with per point increase. Notably, self-efficacy of mental addiction mediated 62.5% (95% CI 42.1% to 100.0%), 48.9% (95% CI 35.5% to 70.0%) and 29.8% (95% CI 17.9% to 45.0%, all p<0.001) of the total effects of paternal emotional warmth, rejection and overprotection on the SA, respectively.
conclusionOur findings indicate paternal parenting styles are independently associated with SA in Chinese adolescents. Self-efficacy of mental addiction mediated the associations.
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