Future Orientation’s Influence on Smartphone Overdependence among Out-of-School Adolescents: Focusing on the Moderated Mediation Effect of Depression by Parental Emotional Support

Background: This study aimed to examine the influence of future orientation on smartphone overdependence through depression among out-of-school adolescents and the moderated mediation effect of parental emotional support.Methods: This study analyzed data from the Panel Survey of School Dropouts with the Process macro Models 4 and 14.Results: First, out-of-school adolescents’ future orientation negatively influenced smartphone overdependence. Second, out-of-school adolescents’ depression partially mediated the influence of future orientation on smartphone overdependence. Third, out-of-school adolescents’ parental emotional support moderated the mediation effect of future orientation on smartphone overdependence through depression.Conclusions: The results suggest ways to manage smartphone overdependence among out-of-school adolescents.