Gender differences in problematic internet use and psychological distress among Chinese early adolescents: A cross-lagged panel network analysis.

Aboujaoude's review of problematic Internet use is a timely contribution to the literature on a poorly understood behaviour that has apparently caught the attention of the media more than that of mental health professionals. And, while psychiatrists and clinical psychologists seem to be sceptical about many aspects of the problematic Internet use, concern in the community about the adverse effects of the Internet use seems to be growing exponentially. This revolves mainly around two issues. The first is the impact of violent video games and other violent online content; the second is what has increasingly been referred to as "Internet addiction". The focus of this commentary will be on the latter issue. The problem starts with terminology, as the appropriate name for the condition or behaviour often labelled "Internet addiction" is not clear. Progress in this area can hardly be made without first reaching a consensus as to what terms to use. "Internet addiction" is a troublesome term, not only because of its pejorative connotations, but also because there is no evidence that this is really an addictive disorder, i.e., that it is characterized by the hallmarks of substance addiction such as tolerance and withdrawal. If adopted without sufficient evidence, "Internet addiction" will clearly be an arbitrary term. It is appropriate to be cautious and retain more descriptive and "neutral" terms, such as problematic (or problem) Internet use. Other terms have also been proposed, e.g., "pathological use of electronic media" 1, but "Internet addiction" still seems to dominate the literature and professional jargon. The terminological rigour should go hand in hand with conceptual clarity. A part of the reason for the ongoing struggle with terminology is the lack of clarity about the key features of problematic Internet use. Several features have been proposed, but many of them seem to overlap and boil down to the basic two characteristics. The first pertains to the aspects of Internet use, described as excessive or compulsive, along with preoccupation with and loss of control over the Internet use. The second refers to various adverse consequences of spending too much time on the Internet, such as neglecting social activities, relationships, health and work or school duties, and altering sleep and eating habits in a detrimental way. Further research is needed to ascertain more precisely to what extent these features characterize problematic Internet use. Problematic Internet use appears to be too heterogeneous as a concept. It has been suggested that it consists of at least three subtypes: excessive gaming, problematic sexual behaviour, and e-mail/text messaging 2. The Internet may also be used excessively and with negative consequences to gamble, shop, or chat. These different purposes of using the Internet may be associated with different patterns of use, different underlying psychopathology, and different adverse consequences. It may then be inappropriate to lump together all the instances of problematic Internet use and perhaps more useful to consider online gambling as a manifestation of pathological gambling, Internet-related problematic sexual behaviour as a feature of a sexual or some other disorder, and so on. In accordance with this approach, we have formulated and tested preliminary criteria for problem video game use 3, but these require further study. "New" disorders or patterns of behaviour may be no more than alternative expression of various psychopathological entities. Accordingly, it has been debated whether addictive disorders, including problematic Internet use, represent primary conditions in their own right or whether they can be better understood as a manifestation of some underlying psychopathology or poor coping, that is, a "secondary addiction" 4,5. Various mental and other disorders often co-occur with problematic Internet use, which suggests that in many cases the latter may be conceived of as being related to the former. The co-occurring conditions and corresponding dimensions of psychopathology include depressive and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders (especially social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder), sleep disturbance, substance use disorders, impulse control disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, personality disorders and traits (especially borderline, narcissistic, antisocial, and avoidant), and psychotic disorders. Several issues should be addressed when elucidating whether and when problematic Internet use is primary or secondary. First, prospective studies need to ascertain the sequence in the development of problematic Internet use and psychiatric disorders. Second, it is important to understand to what extent the relationship between problematic Internet use and the associated psychopathology is specific. Finally, treatment of individuals with problematic Internet use crucially depends on whether an underlying condition accounts for problematic Internet use, as that condition should then be targeted by treatment. There have been calls to conceptualize problematic Internet use as a mental disorder, include it in the DSM-V, and classify it as a "compulsive-impulsive spectrum disorder" 2. However, doing so seems premature in view of the following: a) it is not yet clear whether and how problematic Internet use can be distinguished from a pattern of behaviour usually labelled by others as undesirable or disturbed; b) the boundary between normal and problematic Internet use has not been established; c) it remains to be ascertained whether problematic Internet use possesses conceptual validity, including distinct presentation and sociodemographic and neurobiological correlates, internal homogeneity, and sufficient longitudinal stability with distinct course, prognosis, and response to treatment. Not endowing problematic Internet use with the status of a mental disorder would prevent its psychiatric reification at the time when so little is known about it, while fostering an open-minded attitude towards further research.

Problematic Internet use is recognized as a significant public health concern among adolescents. Previous research has shown that adolescents with problematic Internet use tend to experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-problematic Internet users. Nevertheless, when it comes to differences in specific symptoms, the evidence is less clear-cut. This study conducted Gaussian graphical model and Bayesian network analysis to compare the network structures of anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms among adolescents with problematic and non-problematic Internet use. A total of 1,139 Chinese adolescents (540 problematic Internet users, M age = 15.96; 599 non-problematic Internet users, M age = 16.03) were included in the study. The results showed that compared to adolescents with non-problematic Internet use, most anxiety symptoms (e.g., inability to stop or control worries) emerged as upstream nodes with significant downstream effects on a series of emotional symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescents with problematic Internet use. “Fear of something terrible happening,” “irritability,” “feeling fearful” and “feeling effortful” were symptomatic targets for intervening problematic Internet use and improving mental health. These findings offer novel data-driven insights on the core symptoms and directional relationships of anxiety-depression comorbidity network among Chinese adolescents with different Internet use states.

Emotional symptoms and problematic internet use among adolescents with and without childhood trauma: A two-wave cross-lagged panel and network analysis.

Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and Problematic Mobile Phone Use (PMPU) are emerging public health concerns associated with various mental health conditions, including autistic traits. However, PIU and PMPU remain poorly understood, and the role of psychological distress as a contributing factor has not been fully clarified. This study examined frequency and associations of autistic traits, PIU and PMPU, and substance use in adults, accounting for psychological distress. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 420 Italian adults aged 18 – 65, to assess autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Quotient, AQ), PIU (Uso e Abuso di Internet-2, UADI-2), PMPU (Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale for Adults, MPPUS), substance use (Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test, ASSIST), and psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K10). Correlation analyses, MANCOVA and Multivariate Multiple Regression (MMR) were performed to examine associations between variables, controlling for psychological distress. Young adults (18–24 years) showed higher levels of Internet (M = 66.36, SD = 13.56, 95% CI [63.87, 68.85]) and mobile phone use (M = 61.41, SD = 14.25, 95% CI [58.92, 63.9]). Autistic traits correlated positively with both PIU and PMPU, while psychological distress was positively associated with all outcomes, including substance use in younger participants. MANCOVA indicated significant effects of autistic traits and psychological distress on outcomes. MMR showed that higher autistic traits predicted higher PIU and PMPU, while psychological distress additionally predicted substance use. Autistic traits and psychological distress were significantly associated with PIU and PMPU, with psychological distress showing stronger associations. PIU and PMPU may be specifically linked to autistic traits, whereas substance use may be more related to psychological distress, suggesting different pathways. Further efforts should prioritize interventions targeting distress and emotion-regulation skills, particularly among young adults and individuals exhibiting PIU and PMPU.

Prior studies have established a link between problematic internet use (PIU) and negative emotional states, highlighting how familial factors are associated with this relationship. However, most existing studies have employed cross-sectional designs, with few utilizing cross-lagged panel network analysis to explore the dynamic symptom-level relationships among parental marital status, PIU, and negative emotions. This study aimed to investigate the dynamic network interactions among them in Chinese adolescents. The sample comprised 10,394 adolescents who completed the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) twice over a six-month period. A total of four symptom networks and two cross-lagged panel networks were developed. The findings revealed that adolescents from divorced families exhibited significantly higher rates of PIU (PIU: T1 = 21.6%, T2 = 25.6%), depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms compared to their peers from non-divorced families (PIU: T1 = 15.3%, T2 = 16.5%). "Social anxiety" emerged as the key node of the networks across time. "Negative self-esteem" emerged as the most influential node in both the married and divorced family groups (married: OEI = 0.896; divorced: OEI = 0.888). It also functioned as a bridge symptom in the divorced group, whereas "anhedonia" served as the bridge symptom in the married group. This study underscores that PIU and negative emotions differ across parental marital status groups. Key and bridge symptoms may serve as priority targets for preventing and addressing PIU and negative emotions among Chinese adolescents.

Self-compassion is a psychological construct associated with enhanced well-being, which, to a lesser extent, has been examined in relation to addictive behaviors. The present study aims to: (1) examine gender differences in self-compassion, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and problematic Internet and smartphone use; (2) analyze the relationships among these variables; and (3) determine whether self-compassion moderates the association between anxiety and depressive symptomatology and problematic Internet and smartphone use. The sample consisted of 953 Spanish secondary school students aged 13 to 18 years (M= 15.42,SD= 1.17; 55.0% females). Significant gender differences were found in all study variables except problematic Internet use, with females reporting higher levels of anxiety, depression, and problematic smartphone use, and males scoring higher in self-compassion. Moderation analyses revealed that depression and anxiety were positively associated with both problematic Internet smartphone use, while self-compassion showed negative associations with both outcomes. Significant interactions were observed, with stronger positive associations between anxiety and depression and both problematic Internet and smartphone use at higher levels of self-compassion. Our results underscore that association between depressive and anxiety symptoms and problematic Internet and smartphone use in adolescents varied across levels of self-compassion, supporting its consideration in interventions targeting behavioral addictions.

HighlightsPublic health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?Adolescent Problematic Internet Use (PIU) and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) are increasingly prevalent and have been linked to adverse mental, social, and academic outcomes.This study examines how PIU and FoMO interact during adolescence, a critical development period marked by heightened vulnerability to digital overuse.Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?Findings highlight that the relationship between PIU and FoMO is not uniform, but varies by gender.By identifying different patterns of risk, this work advances understanding of how maladaptive digital behaviors manifest across subgroups of adolescents.Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?Prevention and intervention efforts may benefit from being tailored to both gender and level of PIU severity, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.(1) Background: Previous studies have shown that increased Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is associated with higher Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). However, the role of gender in this association remains unclear. Evidence suggests that males and females may experience PIU and FoMO differently, warranting further examination of gender differences. (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 4370 U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 years (47% female) were recruited through Qualtrics research panels and completed a national online survey on adolescent health and technology. Demographic information collected included age, race, and gender. PIU was measured using the validated three-item Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS-3), while FoMO was measured using a validated 10-item FoMO scale. Multiple linear regression analysis examined the relationship between PIU and FoMO, including an interaction term between PIU and gender to assess the potential gender moderation effect while adjusting for age and race. (3) Results: Gender significantly moderated the relationship between PIU and FoMO, indicating that males experience a stronger association between PIU and FoMO compared to females. While higher PIU scores were significantly associated with higher FoMO for both males and females, each unit increase in PIU corresponded to a 0.15 point increase in FoMO for females (SE = 0.01, p < 0.01), and an additional 0.03 point increase for males (SE = 0.01, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: These findings illustrate the complex relationship between PIU and FoMO, highlighting the importance of gender-specific strategies and targeted interventions for promoting healthy Internet use.

Problematic Internet Use: A Longitudinal Study Evaluating Prevalence and Predictors

The objective of this article is to fully understand Internet addiction, we aimed to compare the attachment styles and psychopathologies associated with problematic Internet use with those related to alcohol use. Through the participation of 141 male participants, the present study assessed problematic Internet and alcohol use, attachment, psychopathology, and demographic data via the use of self-rating questionnaires. We explored the significant predictors among avoidant and anxious attachments, depression, anxiety, and phobia to explain problematic Internet and alcohol use. The results showed that anxious attachment, depression, and anxiety could explain problematic alcohol use. In contrast, both anxious and avoidant attachment as well as depression and phobia explained problematic Internet use. Additionally, depression moderated the effects of avoidant attachment on problematic Internet use. We demonstrated that the interaction of attachment and psychopathology predicts problematic Internet use originating from an earlier stage of life than that associated with problematic alcohol use.

This study aims to investigate the impact of physical activity on problematic internet use and to reveal the mediating role of self-control and psychological distress in the path relationship between them, providing a theoretical foundation for reducing problematic internet use and promoting mental health among college students. This cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate students. Data were collected online using network sampling through the online survey platform Google Forms. Data were collected using the Demographic Data Form (DDF), Physical Activity Scale-2 (PAS-2), the Addiction Profile Index Internet Addiction Form (BAPINT), the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS), and the Psychological Distress Scale (K10-PDS). In order to evaluate the adequacy of the research model, path analysis, a component of structural equation modeling (SEM), was used using AMOS software. The structural model also exhibits a good fit, with x2 /df = 3.105, RMSEA = 0.081, GFI = 0.964, AGFI = 0.924, CFI = 0.948, TLI = 0.914, and IFI = 0.949. Physical activity could directly negatively predict the problematic internet use of college students. Self control and distress partially mediate the relationship between physical activity and problematic internet use, and the mediating pathways included "physical activiy-self control- problematic internet use", "physical activity-distress- problematic internet use", and "physical activity-self conrtol-distress- problematic internet use", accounting for 12.6%, 33.7% and 4.7% of the total effect, respectively. The results of this study provide an important framework for understanding internet addiction in this population, supporting the I-PACE model.

Problematic Internet use has been an important topic for researchers. Though, (problematic) Internet use is a motivated action, underlying motivations are largely unexamined. Therefore, in the current study, effects of self-regulatory orientations (i.e., promotion and prevention self-regulatory foci) with the mediating role of self-presentation tactics on problematic Internet use was examined on 225 university students who use the Internet mostly for social network sites (SNSs). Portrait Values Questionnaire was used to determine participants’ self-regulatory orientations (prevention focus and promotion focus). Self-Presentation Tactics Scale was used to determine the type of mainly used tactics (defensive and assertive) on SNSs. Problematic Internet Use Scale was used to determine the consequences of their Internet use. Results revealed that neither prevention focus, nor promotion focus orientations directly predict problematic Internet use. As expected, defensive self-presentation tactics mediate the relationship between promotion focus and problematic Internet use. Therefore, focusing on gains –rather than a loss- on the SNSs leads to more defensive self-presentation tactics which in turn leads to problematic Internet use.

Background: Substance-related addictive disorders are known to be overrepresented in non-heterosexual individuals, but it is largely unknown whether this is also the case for behavioral addictions such as problem gaming and gambling. This study aimed, in a pilot web survey design, to assess whether problematic gambling, gaming and internet use may be more common in individuals with a non-heterosexual orientation.Methods: An online survey was distributed through media and social media, and answered by 605 individuals (51% women and 11% non-heterosexual). Problem gambling, problem gaming and problematic internet use were measured through structured screening instruments (the CLiP, the GAS and the PRIUSS, respectively).Results: Problem gaming and problematic internet use were significantly more prevalent in non-heterosexual subjects. Instead, problem gambling did not differ between heterosexual and non-heterosexual respondents. Psychological distress and social media use for more than 3 h daily were significantly more common in non-heterosexual respondents. In the overall sample, gaming and gambling were associated statistically.Conclusion: Based on the present pilot online survey, problematic gaming and internet use, but not problem gambling, may be more common in non-heterosexual populations. This area merits more and larger studies, and potentially preventive efforts aimed for non-heterosexual individuals in the population. Possible explanations and study limitations are discussed in the paper.

Background: The high rate at which online technologies are becoming part of normal operations has heightened the anxieties over Problematic Internet Use (PIU), especially in young adults. PIU has been attributed to impaired self-regulatory ability, distorted reward sensitivity, and adverse psychological consequences. According to neurobehavioral perspective, the differences in sensation seeking and self-efficacy could impact the susceptibility to PIU by the mechanisms of reward sensitivity, impulse modulation, and executive control. Although these constructs are increasingly gaining interest, their combined relationship with PIU is not well studied, particularly in Indian socio-cultural setting. Purpose: The current research aimed to investigate the interrelations between problematic internet use, sensation seeking and self efficacy among young adults with the intention of establishing psychologically based correlates applicable to neuro behavioral explanations of PIU. Methods: It took the form of a correlational research design that entailed a sample of 60 undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18-25 years. The participants were provided with self-report measures, such as the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS), and Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS18) that are standardized and self-report. The product-moment correlation test conducted by Pearson was used to evaluate relations between the variables of the study. Results: The results of the analysis showed that there was a large negative correlation between sensation seeking and problematic internet use (r = -.344, p &lt;. 01), which means that the higher the sensation-seeking behavior, the lower the PIU. Problematic internet use had a negative relationship with self-efficacy (r = -.092) and sensation seeking (r = -.273, p &lt;.05) developed a significant negative relationship with self-efficacy. These results are in contrast to what has been widely reported about sensation seeking as a direct risk factor to PIU. Conclusion: The findings indicate that sensation seeking and self-efficacy play different roles in problematic internet use among the young adults. A neurobehavioral viewpoint indicates that self-efficacy can manifest executive regulation mechanisms that counter maladaptive digital usage and sensation-seeking requirements can be more favourably achieved when offline. The paper has provided initial psychological indicators that can also inform potential neurocognitive and translational studies of problematic internet use.

Problematic internet use and psychological distress among student nurses: The mediating role of coping skills

Background Mental health disparity in sexual minorities is a crucial clinical and public health issue worldwide. A total of 500 homosexual or bisexual men aged between 20 and 25 years participated in this study. Objectives The aims of the study were to examine the relationships of victimization of traditional and cyber homophobic bullying during childhood and adolescence with problematic internet and smartphone use and activities during early adulthood among sexual minority men in Taiwan. Methods The seveirities of problematic internet and smartphone use and activities in early adulthood were compared between victims and non-victims of bullying. The severities of problematic internet and smartphone use were also compared among the groups of various types of bullying as well as among the groups of various persistence durations of being bullied. Results Victims of traditional and cyber homophobic bullying had more severe problematic internet and smartphone use than non-victims. Victims of multi-type bullying had more severe problematic internet use than victims of single-type bullying. Prolonged victimization was significantly associated with problematic internet and smartphone use. Discussion: Victimization of traditional and cyber homophobic bullying during childhood and adolescence predicts problematic internet and smartphone use during early adulthood among sexual minority men.