The Longitudinal Effect of Psychological Distress on Internet Addiction Symptoms Among Chinese College Students: Cross-Lagged Panel Network Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is a growing amount of evidence suggesting high rates of co-occurring internet addiction (IA) symptoms and psychological distress in youth. However, the extent to which IA symptoms develop over time, how they interact with psychological distress symptoms dynamically, and how they predict one another remain unclear. Additionally, what specific types of distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress, are more closely associated with IA symptoms remains inconclusive.

Objective

This longitudinal study aimed to explore the development of and changes in IA symptoms over time and the directional relationship between IA and various psychological distress symptoms.

Methods

This study followed a sample of 2497 Chinese college students (mean age 19.14, SD 0

SUBMITTER: Jiang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12084773 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature