[Relationship between adolescent internet addiction and depressive symptoms: A longitudinal study based on a...

Internet addiction and depressive symptoms are common comorbid mental health problems among adolescents. This study aims to employ a cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) model to examine the longitudinal dynamic interactions between adolescent internet addiction and depressive symptoms at the symptom level, and to explore gender-specific patterns.

A total of 1 138 adolescents from a middle school in a northern city were followed for 5 months with two waves of assessment. Internet addiction and depressive symptoms were measured using the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively. CLPN was conducted using R software version 4.4.0 to estimate out-expected influence (out-EI) and in-expected influence (in-EI).

The cross-lagged effects of depressive symptoms on internet addiction were stronger than the reverse effects. In the overall sample, feelings of worthlessness showed the highest out-EI. Gender-specific CLPN results indicated that, in males, suicidal ideation had significant negative cross-lagged effects on salience, neglect of work, and anticipation in internet addiction. In females, excessive internet use and lack of control showed significant positive cross-lagged effects.

Depressive symptoms are key drivers of internet addiction in adolescents, with notable gender differences in symptom pathways. Future research and interventions should consider gender sensitivity and target specific symptom pathways to develop precise prevention and intervention strategies.