From comfortable to conflicted: a three-year longitudinal symptom evolution of problematic Internet use among junior high school students.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Problematic Internet use (PIU) is frequently regarded as a potential mental health concern and poses significant risks to the well-being of adolescents. Previous studies have predominantly focused on the influencing factors and harms of PIU, with less attention directed towards symptom manifestations and age differences, especially among junior high school students entering adolescence.

Methods

This study used network analysis to explore the core symptoms and symptom relationships of PIU among junior high school students over three years. This study recruited 302 sixth-graders (T1: M=11.6, SD=0.65) who were assessed using the Problematic Internet Use Scale four times, resulting in four networks.

Results

The network analysis showed that at T1, 'hard to contr

SUBMITTER: Kang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12447571 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature