Studies have identified an association between youth mental health symptoms and problematic phone use (PPU) defined as poorly regulated use that can disrupt functioning. However, analyses have often been cross-sectional, seldom examine early adolescents, and omit protective mechanisms that could inform mental health interventions. This study investigates (a) whether there is a longitudinal and bidirectional relationship between PPU and depressive symptoms among early adolescents, and (b) whether family factors-specifically parental acceptance, parental monitoring, and family conflict-mediate these bidirectional relationships over time. Data are from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study sample measured at the 2-year (2018-2020; 11-12 years), 3-year (2019-2021; 12-13 years), and 4-year (2020-2022; 13-14 years) follow-up waves. Cross-lagged panel analyses examined longitudinal, bidirectional associations between youth PPU, youth depression symptoms, parental acceptance, parental monitoring, and family conflict, adjusting for sex and financial adversity. Results show that PPU and depressive symptoms were positively associated within time point, yet there were no significant direct associations across time. However, significant, indirect associations emerged between PPU and depression across time through their relationship with parenting and family factors. Specifically, higher PPU was associated with lower parental monitoring, which in turn was associated with higher depressive symptoms. Moreover, higher youth depressive symptoms were associated with lower parental acceptance and higher family conflict, which were in turn associated with higher PPU. Findings show the importance of preventing disruptions in protective family factors that may otherwise intensify behavioral and mental health problems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Brincks et al. (2026) studied this question.