Network analysis of adverse childhood experiences and problematic internet use among Chinese adolescents

The association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and problematic internet use (PIU) in adolescents has received increasing attention. However, item-level associations between ACEs and PIU remained underexplored. This study utilized network analysis to explore these complex interactions and enhance understanding of the linking pathways.

From November to December 2021, 6685 Chinese adolescents aged 11-20 self-reported their internet use through the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ). ACEs were assessed via the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form and the Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire. An ACE-PIU network was constructed based on the Ising model, with centrality and bridge centrality indices calculated. Network stability and accuracy were assessed using a case-dropping bootstrap procedure. The Network Comparison Test was applied to examine gender and age differences.

Among participants, 52.2 % were boys and the mean age was 14.5 years. Network analysis identified PIU2 ("need for increased online time"), PIU5 ("staying online longer than intended"), and PIU6 ("risking significant relationships/opportunities due to internet use") as central nodes in the ACE-PIU network model. Additionally, ACE6 ("household mental illness") and ACE2 ("emotional abuse") within the ACE cluster, along with PIU8 ("using the internet to escape problems") and PIU7 ("lying about internet use") within the PIU cluster, emerged as bridge nodes linking the ACE and PIU clusters. No significant differences in network structures or global strengths were observed across gender or age groups.

The identification of central and bridge nodes within the ACE-PIU network provides insights regarding the potential pathways linking ACEs to PIU among Chinese adolescents.