Is adolescent internet use a risk factor for the development of depression symptoms or vice-versa?

ABSTRACT:

Background

The extent to which digital media use by adolescents contributes to poor mental health, or vice-versa, remains unclear. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the strength and direction of associations between adolescent internet use and the development of depression symptoms using a longitudinal modeling approach. We also examine whether associations differ for boys and girls.

Methods

Data are drawn from (N = 1547) participants followed for the Quebec longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD 1998-2020). Youth self-reported internet use in terms of the average hours of use per week at the ages of 13, 15, and 17. Youth also self-reported depression symptoms at the same ages.

Results

After testing sex-invariance, random intercepts cross-l

SUBMITTER: Fitzpatrick C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10600816 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature