This study investigated the impact of maternal smartphone overdependence on behaviors that support infant development. It specifically focused on the mediating role of parenting stress and the distinct moderating effects of paternal involvement and social support. Utilizing data from 1,847 mothers of infants, the researchers tested the proposed model using PROCESS Macro Model 21. The results indicated that greater maternal smartphone overdependence significantly increased parenting stress, which subsequently decreased mothers' developmental support behaviors. Paternal involvement moderated the relationship between smartphone overdependence and parenting stress; higher paternal involvement amplified stress levels in the context of high smartphone dependence. Additionally, social support moderated the negative relationship between parenting stress and developmental support behaviors, helping to mitigate the adverse effects of stress on maternal engagement. These findings suggest that maternal smartphone overdependence operates not just as a habitual use of devices, but also as a strategy for emotion regulation that exacerbates parental strain and hinders supportive interactions with infants. The results underscore the need for early interventions aimed at improving digital parenting skills, emotion regulation, and cooperative parenting, as well as policies that encourage paternal involvement and enhance community support systems for families with infants.
Sujung Oh (Thu,) studied this question.