Gender differences in symptom structure of adolescent problematic internet use: A network analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gender differences in problematic Internet use (PIU) have long been discussed. However, whether and how female and male adolescents differ in central symptoms and symptom associations are not fully understood.

Methods

As a national survey in the Chinese mainland, 4884 adolescents (51.6% females; M_age = 13.83 ± 2.41) participated in the present study. This study applies network analysis to identify central symptoms of PIU networks in female and male adolescents and compares whether and how global and local connectivity of PIU networks differ by gender.

Results

Female and male network structures of PIU were different and global strength was stronger in males than females, indicating a higher risk of chronicity of PIU among male adolescents. Specifi

SUBMITTER: Liu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10082539 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature