Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist Research Articles

A study of the relationship between adverse childhood experiences, life events, and executive function among college students in China

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences and life events on the inhibitory control ability, cognitive flexibility, and working memory of college students.MethodsThe study involved testing the participants using the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire, the Adolescent Life Events Scale (Adolescent Self-rating Life Events Checklist, ASLEC), and the program of executive functions designed by E-prime software.ResultsThe incidence rate of ACEs was 44.8%. ACEs, life events, and inhibition ability were found to have a significant correlation (r1 = 0.50, r1 = 0.47, p < 0.01). In the switching task, the reaction time of the ACEs group was longer than the reaction time of the non-ACEs group (t = − 2.55, p < 0.05). Low scorers in the ASLEC exhibited lesser reaction times than their high-scoring counterparts in the tasks related to inhibition, switching, and working memory experiments. The regression analysis results showed that ACEs and life events had a possibility rate of 56% in predicting inhibition ability.ConclusionsThe incidence of ACEs was found to be high, and cognitive flexibility is significantly influenced by ACEs. Life events have a significant impact on inhibition ability, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. ACEs and life events were found to be reliable predictors of inhibition ability.

Associations between negative life events and anxiety, depressive, and stress symptoms: A cross-sectional study among Chinese male senior college students

The aims of this study were to explore the associations between negative life events and anxiety, depressive, and stress symptoms among male senior college students who experience negative life events in daily life. Data were obtained from 582 male senior college students recruited from universities in Chongqing China. Participants completed the Adolescent Self-rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Socio-demographic information, lifestyle information, and a blood sample were acquired. 39 (6.7%), 74 (12.7%), and 39 (6.7%) subjects were depressed, anxious, and stressed, respectively. The results confirmed that negative life events were positively related to mental health problems. Different types of negative life events had their specific associations with being depressed, anxious, or stressed. With respect to different types of negative life events, subjects with more “interpersonal relationship” related problems had a higher probability of being anxious and stressed; whereas, subjects with more “change for adaptation” related problems had a higher probability of being depressed and anxious. These results indicate that more concerns over the events with both high occurrence rate and severity might be helpful to mental health prevention and promotion for senior college students.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression symptoms among adolescent earthquake victims: comorbidity and associated sleep-disturbing factors.

Our study aimed to examine the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and their comorbidity and correlation with sleep problems among adolescent survivors 3years after the 2013 Ya'an earthquake. A representative sample of 6132 adolescent students was analysed from 11 primary and high schools in the three counties most severely affected by the earthquake. Students were invited to complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale-13, Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, and Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders. Three years after this major earthquake, 1-month prevalence of mental health problems was 13.1% for PTSD, 37.3% for anxiety, and 19.8% for depression. Among the participants who reported PTSD, 71.5% also reported anxiety, and 49.7% also reported depression. At least half of those with any type of mental health problem reported concurrent sleeping problems. Specific sleep risk factors were independently associated with increased risk of PTSD, depression or anxiety. Girls were more likely than boys to exhibit symptoms of PTSD, depression or anxiety. Older adolescents were more likely to have depression and anxiety. Mental health problems are prevalent with high comorbidity and are associated with sleep-related problems among adolescent survivors, even years after the occurrence of a major earthquake. Nightmares and difficulty initiating sleep are independently associated with PTSD. Insufficient sleep is independently associated with anxiety and depression. Sleep-related problems may be effective targets of preventive interventions, which may need to be optimised for gender and age.

Effect of the interaction between oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism (rs53576) and stressful life events on aggression in Chinese Han adolescents

ObjectivesAccumulating evidence suggests that stressful life events are associated with increased risk for aggressive behavior in adolescents; however, aggressive reactions to life stressors exhibit large individual differences. The present study sought to examine whether the interaction between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP [rs53576]) within the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and stressful life events is related to aggression in Chinese Han adolescents. MethodsA total of 197 Chinese Han adolescents (14–17 years of age) were included in this study. Aggression was assessed using the 12-item short version of Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Stressful life events during the past 12 months were assessed using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva and buccal cells from each individual. ResultsMultivariate analysis of variance yielded a significant interaction between OXTR rs53576 SNP and life stress (F = 2.449, p = 0.043, partial η2 = 0.051) and of sex × SNP × life stress (F = 3.144, p = 0.016, partial η2 = 0.064). High life stress during the past 12 months was associated with high levels of physical aggression and hostility in OXTR rs53576 homozygous AA adolescents but not in G-carrier adolescents. In boys, homozygous AA individuals in the high life stress group reported significantly higher levels of physical aggression than participants in the other three groups; the interaction, however, was not significant in girls. ConclusionsThis study, which analyzed a specific gene-environment interaction, demonstrated that AA OXTR rs53576 homozygosity may correlate with higher levels of aggression under high life stress conditions with a sample of healthy Chinese Han adolescents. These findings promote the etiological understanding of adolescent aggression, highlighting the complex effect of stressful life events on aggression, and adding evidence supporting the relationship between the oxytocin system and aggressive behavior in adolescents.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in Longmenshan adolescents at three years after the 2013 Lushan earthquake.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among adolescent survivors of the 2013 Lushan earthquake. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Longmenshan thrust fault area at three years after the 2013 earthquake in Lushan, China. Most respondents (60.8%) had also been exposed to the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Probable PTSD was identified based on the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-13), the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist and Earthquake Experience Scale. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of probable PTSD. Probable PTSD prevalence was 14.1% among all respondents (n = 3851), 15.9% among those who had been exposed to the 2008 and 2013 earthquakes (n = 2342) and 11.3% among those who had experienced only the 2013 earthquake (n = 1509). Earthquake-related factors most strongly associated with probable PTSD were feeling scared of dying and exposure to the Wenchuan earthquake. The negative life event most strongly associated with probable PTSD was academic stress. Among survivors of the 2013 Lushan earthquake, risk of probable PTSD was significantly higher if the person had also been exposed to the Wenchuan earthquake. Researchers and health care workers should pay more attention to adolescent earthquake survivors, especially those who experienced both the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes. Providing psychological care and preventing negative events may be effective measures for reducing PTSD after an earthquake.

Risk Factors of Post-traumatic Stress and Depressive Disorders in Longmenshan Adolescents After the 2013 Lushan Earthquake.

This study examined the severity of post-traumatic stress and depressive disorders in Longmenshan adolescents after the 2013 Lushan earthquake, as well as relationships among earthquake-related exposure, post-earthquake negative factors, previous exposure to the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, and level of earthquake impact (city). A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adolescents in Lushan (n = 1416), Baoxing (n = 1102) and Tianquan (n = 1265) at 3years after the Lushan earthquake. Respondents were evaluated using the Earthquake Experience Scale, the Adolescent Self-rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC), the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-13), and the Depression Self-Rating Scale (KADS-6). High levels of post-traumatic stress and depression symptoms were found among adolescents in the most heavily affected cities, and these symptoms were more severe in respondents exposed to the 2008 earthquake. PTSD correlated most strongly with earthquake exposure, whereas depression correlated most strongly with psychosocial stressors following the event.

The Role of Rumination and Stressful Life Events in the Relationship between the Qi Stagnation Constitution and Depression in Women: A Moderated Mediation Model.

The qi stagnation constitution is associated with depression in traditional Chinese medicine. It is unclear how rumination and stressful life events affect the relationship between the qi stagnation constitution and depression. The Qi Stagnation Constitution Scale, Ruminative Response Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist were used to assess this association in 1200 female college students. The results revealed that the qi stagnation constitution was positively associated with depression. Furthermore, rumination was a partial mediator of the relationship between the qi stagnation constitution and depression. In addition, stressful life events moderated the direct effect and mediating effect of the qi stagnation constitution on depression. These findings indicate that rumination and stressful life events may affect the relationship between the qi stagnation constitution and depression in women.

The association between life events and internet addiction among Chinese vocational school students: The mediating role of depression

The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that depression mediated the association between stressful life events and Internet addiction. The participants were randomly recruited from 5 vocational schools in Anhui Province, China and completed a succession of self-completed questionnaires including the Young Internet Addiction Test, the Adolescent Self-rating Life Events Checklist, and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. A structural equation model was applied to examine the mediating role of depression in the association between stressful life events and Internet addiction. The frequency and severity of stressful life events was higher in the Internet addiction group than that in the average Internet use group. Participants in the Internet addiction group experienced more depression when compared to average Internet users. Significant and positive correlations between stressful life events, depression and Internet addiction were detected. The standardized path coefficients from life events to depression and from depression to Internet addiction were significant. The path from life events to internet addiction was also significant. The findings suggested that life events associated with Internet addiction both directly and indirectly, depression mediated the association between life events and Internet addiction.

The alienation of affection toward parents and influential factors in Chinese left-behind children

ObjectiveAlthough alienation toward parents is important for children (for current mental health status or later interpersonal relationships in adulthood), it is undervalued and even lacks a standardized tool of assessment. Moreover, the large number of left-behind children in China is a cause of public concern. However, their experienced alienation toward their parents remains unclear, which may be important for early detection or intervention for behavioral problems in this population. Hence, the current study aimed to develop an alienation inventory for children and then use it to investigate the experienced alienation toward parents in Chinese left-behind children. MethodsTwo studies were carried out. Study 1 was designed to develop a standard inventory of alienation toward parents (IAP). In study 2, 8361 children and adolescents (6704 of them were left-behind status) of the Chongqing area, aged between 8 and 19 years old, were recruited for investigation. All participants were surveyed with a standard sociodemographic questionnaire, children's cognitive style questionnaire, children's depression inventory, adolescent self-rating life events checklist, and newly built IAP in study 1. ResultsIn study 1, we developed a two-component (communication and emotional distance) and 18-item (9 items for maternal or paternal form, respectively) IAP questionnaire. In study 2, exploratory factor analysis indicated an expected two-factor structure of IAP, which was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed a good reliability (0.887 and 0.821 for maternal and paternal form, respectively). Children with absent mother experienced the highest alienation toward parents. Boys as well as children aged 8–10 years old experienced higher alienation toward parents. Poor communication with parents (sparse or no connection), level of left-behind condition (parents divorced, been far away from parents), and psychosocial vulnerability (stressful life events, negative cognitive style) were risk factors of alienation toward parents. ConclusionsThe current study develops a two-factor (communication and emotional distance) IAP, which offers a reliable tool to assess experienced alienation of affection toward parents in children aged between 8 and 19 years old. Our result is the first investigation of experienced alienation and potential influential factors in Chinese left-behind children. The findings that children with absent mother experience higher alienation toward parents, as well as three recognized risk factors for alienation of affection toward parents (poor communication with absent parents, worse left-behind condition, and psychosocial vulnerability), give valuable guidance for parents who intend to leave or who are already leaving as well as for government policymaking.

Influence of school-level and family-level variables on Chinese college students’ aggression

With the frequent occurrence of campus violence, scholars have devoted increasing attention to college students’ aggression. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of aggression in Chinese university students and identify factors that could influence their aggression. We can thus find methods to reduce the incidence of college students’ aggression in the future. A multi-stage stratified sampling procedure was used to select university students (N = 4565) aged 16–25 years in Harbin. The Aggression Questionnaire, the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist and the Social Support Revalued Scale were used to collect data. Females reported lower levels of aggression than males (p < .001). A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the influence of factors of aggression, and the model was highly significant (R2 = .233, Ad R2 = .230, p < .01). The results show that the aggression is affected by gender, family-level and school-level variables. Aggression scores are significantly correlated with not only family-level or school-level variables independently, but their combination as well. We find that the risk factors for aggression include a dissatisfying profession, higher levels of study pressure, poor parental relationships, poor interpersonal relationships, the presence of siblings, punishment, health maladjustment, less subjective support, and lower levels of utilization of social support.

Depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in western china: An epidemiological survey of prevalence and correlates.

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in a school-based sample of 7-17-year-old children and adolescents in west-central China. A large cross-sectional sample survey of 10657 children and adolescents was conducted in Chongqing, a municipality in west-central China. Data were collected from the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist (ASLEC) and social-demographic variables which were evaluated with a structured scale. The total prevalence of depression risk was 23.9%. The risk factors for depressive symptoms included age older than 12 years, grade lower than 10, having unmarried parents, being taken care of by people other than two parents (single parent, grandparent(s), other relatives, or others), and living in a low-income family. The pressures of health and adaptation, interpersonal relationship, and study were also strong predictors of depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in Chongqing of China is relatively high compared with most figures reported in other cities. There is an urgent need to develop efficacious interventions aimed at the prevention and early recognition of childhood and adolescent depression.

The association between negative life events, neuroticism and aggression in early adulthood

BackgroundAggression is gradually becoming a public health problem worldwide. Early adulthood is a critical transition period, during which teenagers become part of society. There are few studies on the associations between negative life events (NLEs), neuroticism, and trait aggression in early adulthood, and on neuroticism's mediating effects on trait aggression. MethodThe sample consisted of 306 college students. The Adolescent Self-Rating Life Event Checklist (ASLEC), the neuroticism subscale of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, and the 12-item aggression questionnaire (AQ-12) were used. ResultsThere were positive correlations between NLEs, neuroticism, and trait aggression (rs=0.403–0.491, p<0.01). NLEs partly mediated the relationship between neuroticism and trait aggression, and neuroticism partly mediated the relationship between NLEs and trait aggression; the mediation effect ratios were 26.05% and 31.29%, separately. ConclusionMultiple psychosocial factors are associated with trait aggression, and a neurotic personality and stressors may contribute towards trait aggression among individuals in early adulthood. Neuroticism and NLEs were found to predict trait aggression. When individuals with a higher level of neuroticism face more NLEs, they are more prone to behaving aggressively. Efforts such as mindfulness training, which may decrease individuals' perceived NLEs and influence neurotic personality.

Family and College Environmental Exposures Mediate the Relationship between Parental Education and Depression among College Students.

BackgroundDepression is a major health concern for college students due to its substantial morbidity and mortality. Although low parental education has been identified as a factor in depression in college students, the mechanisms through which parental educational achievement affects students’ depression are not well understood. We tested whether adverse family and college environments mediate the relationship between parental educational level and depression among Chinese college students.MethodsA total of 5180 respondents were selected using a cross-sectional survey. We examined the association of parental education, adverse family and college environments with depression in college students using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Beck Depression Inventory and socio-demographic questionnaires.ResultsLower parental educational level is significantly correlated with depression in college students in our sample. Additionally, low family economic status, paternal or maternal unemployment, long periods spent apart from family, family conflicts, having been scolded and beaten by parents, poor or dissatisfying test performance, conflict with friends, heavy course load and failure in selection processes are also associated with parental education. Low family economic status, paternal or maternal unemployment, long periods spent apart from family, family conflicts, poor or dissatisfying test performance, conflict with friends and heavy course load mediated the relationship between parental education and depression in college students.ConclusionsAdverse family and college environments could explain the influence of parental educational level on depression in college students.

Latent growth curves and predictors of depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescent earthquake survivors

The objective of this longitudinal study was to identify growth curves and related predictors of depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescent earthquake survivors. A total of 1573 adolescent survivors of the 8-magnitude Wenchuan earthquake were assessed through the Depression Self-Rating Scale for Children (cutoff for probable clinical depression: 15), Social Support Rate Scale, Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, and a self-designed questionnaire covering earthquake exposure and demographic information at 6-, 12-, 18-, 24- and 30-months after the earthquake. Data were analyzed using growth mixture modeling (GMM) and multinomial logistic regression. The prevalence rates of depressive symptoms were 27.6%, 40.6%, 30.9%, 37.5% and 29.8% at 6-, 12-, 18-, 24- and 30-months, respectively. GMM analysis showed four patterns of growth curves for depressive symptoms: chronic depression (25.6% of the sample), recovery (1.7%), delayed depression (4.3%), and resilience (68.4%). Female gender was related with decreased probability of resilience. Direct witness of tragic scenes during the earthquake was related with higher risk for chronic depression. More negative life events and fewer social support were also common predictors of not developing the resilience pattern. The need of providing appropriate individualized interventions for high-risk adolescent earthquake survivors is indicated.

Longitudinal trajectories of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among adolescents after the Wenchuan earthquake in China.

This study examines the patterns and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom trajectories among adolescent survivors following the Wenchuan earthquake in China. A total of 1573 adolescent survivors were followed up at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post-earthquake. Participants completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Self-Rating Scale (PTSD-SS), Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Social Support Rate Scale, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. Distinct patterns of PTSD symptom trajectories were established through grouping participants based on time-varying changes of developing PTSD (i.e. reaching the clinical cut-off on the PTSD-SS). Multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine predictors for trajectory membership. PTSD prevalence rates at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months were 21.0, 23.3, 13.5 and 14.7%, respectively. Five PTSD symptom trajectories were observed: resistance (65.3% of the sample), recovery (20.0%), relapsing/remitting (3.3%), delayed dysfunction (4.2%) and chronic dysfunction (7.2%). Female gender and senior grade were related to higher risk of developing PTSD symptoms in at least one time point, whereas being an only child increased the possibility of recovery relative to chronic dysfunction. Family members' injury/loss and witness of traumatic scenes could also cause PTSD chronicity. More negative life events, less social support, more negative coping and less positive coping were also common predictors for not developing resistance or recovery. Adolescents' PTSD symptoms showed an anniversary reaction. Although many adolescents remain euthymic or recover over time, some adolescents, especially those with the risk factors noted above, exhibit chronic, delayed or relapsing symptoms. Thus, the need for individualized intervention with these adolescents is indicated.

Negative life events and school adjustment among Chinese nursing students: The mediating role of psychological capital

Adjustment difficulties of college students are common and their school adjustment has gained wide concern in recent years. Negative life events and psychological capital (PsyCap) have been associated with school adjustment. However, the potential impact of negative life events on PsyCap, and whether PsyCap mediates the relationship between negative life events and school adjustment among nursing students have not been studied. To investigate the relationship among negative life events, PsyCap, and school adjustment among five-year vocational high school nursing students in China and the mediating role of PsyCap between negative life events and school adjustment. A cross-sectional survey design was conducted. 643 five-year vocational high school nursing students were recruited from three public high vocational colleges in Shandong of China. Adolescent Self-Rating Life Event Checklist (ASLEC), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire for Adolescent Students scale (PCQAS), and the Chinese College Student Adjustment Scale (CCSAS) were used in this study. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed to explore the mediating role of PsyCap. Negative life events were negatively associated with the dimensions of school adjustment (interpersonal relationship adaptation, learning adaptation, campus life adaptation, career adaptation, emotional adaptation, self-adaptation, and degree of satisfaction). PsyCap was positively associated with the dimensions of school adjustment and negatively associated with negative life events. PsyCap partially mediated the relationship between negative life events and school adjustment. Negative life events may increase the risk of school maladjustment in individuals with low PsyCap. Interventions designed to increase nursing students' PsyCap might buffer the stress of adverse life events, and thereby, enhance students' positive adjustment to school.

Internet addiction, adolescent depression, and the mediating role of life events: finding from a sample of Chinese adolescents.

The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of life events in the relation between Internet addiction and depression using an adolescent sample in China. A total of 3507 urban adolescent students were asked to complete the questionnaires including Young's Internet Addiction Scale, Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales, and demographic characteristics. Path analyses demonstrated that life events fully mediated the relationship between Internet addiction and adolescent depression. Specificity for the mediating role of life events was demonstrated in comparison to alternative competing mediation models. The findings support our hypothesis that the effect of Internet addiction on adolescent depression is mediated by the life events. Further research is required to test the temporal relationship between Internet addiction and adolescent depression and explore mechanisms underlying the pathways leading to adolescent depression.

Trajectory and predictors of depressive symptoms among adolescent survivors following the Wenchuan earthquake in China: a cohort study

To investigate the trajectory of depressive symptoms among adolescents exposed to the Wenchuan earthquake as well as predictors after the earthquake. A cohort of students (N=1,573) in the 7th and 10th grades from Dujiangyan city was followed-up periodically for 2years. Participants were assessed at 6, 12, 18, and 24months after the earthquake. Adolescents completed the Depression Self-rating Scale for Children, Adolescent Self-Rating Life Event Checklist, Resilience Scale, and earthquake exposure questionnaire. The prevalence rates of depressive symptoms at 6, 12, 18 and 24months were 27.4, 41, 31.9, and 38.3%, respectively. The number of adolescents who kept no depressive symptoms and persistent depressive symptoms at each stage was stable, accounted for almost 50 and 20% of the total, respectively. Adolescents turning no depressive symptoms to depressive symptoms were mostly in 6-12months, followed by 18-24months. Additionally, girls (OR 1.24-1.37), post-disaster negative life events (OR for high vs. low=5.54-15.06), resilience (OR for low vs. high=9.40-13.69), and depressive symptoms at previous stage (OR 4.96-6.03) had a long-term effect on depressive symptoms, while the impact of earthquake exposure diminished with the passage of time and could not predict depressive symptoms after one and a half years after the earthquake. Among adolescent survivors, the resistance and persistence of depressive symptoms were common. Moreover, depressive symptoms tended to outbreak close to the anniversary date, showing the anniversary reaction. Adolescent girls, adolescents who encountered high levels of life events, had low levels of resilience and a history of depressive symptoms should be provided with psychological intervention.

Rumination mediates the relationship between structural variations in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and sensitivity to negative life events

Individuals have different levels of stress sensitivity. An individual’s predisposition to experience negative life events (NLEs) may make him/her more vulnerable to a series of psychopathological and physical diseases. However, the neuroanatomical correlates of individual differences in sensitivity to NLEs remain unknown. In this study, voxel-based morphometry was used to identify the gray matter (GM) associations of individual differences in sensitivity to NLEs measured by adolescent self-rating life events checklist. Results showed that there was a positive association between individual NLEs sensitivity and regional GM volume (rGMV) in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC). GM was mostly evident in the left frontal operculum and a small part of the left middle frontal gyrus. This region was thought to play an important role in introception. Importantly, our study revealed that rumination served as a mediator between the rGMV of the VLPFC and individual NLEs sensitivity. These findings suggest that people with greater VLPFC might be more inclined to ruminate and the ruminative response style might make them more sensitive to NLEs.

The Relationship between Recent Stressful Life Events, Personality Traits, Perceived Family Functioning and Internet Addiction among College Students

Internet addiction (IA) is an emerging social and mental health issue among youths. Analysis of risk factors, as well as their interactions, is crucial for understanding the development of IA. This study investigated the relationship between recent stressful life events, personality traits, perceived family functioning and IA in 892 college students. Subjects were classified into categories (non-addicted, mild IA or severe IA) using the Chen Internet Addiction Scale. Stressful life events, personality traits and family functioning were assessed using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, respectively. The results indicated that compared with non-addicted subjects, subjects with severe IA (9.98%) had lower family functioning, lower extraversion, higher neuroticism and psychoticism, and more stressful life events, and subjects with mild IA (11.21%) had higher neuroticism and more health and adaptation problems. Neuroticism and health and adaptation problems were potential predictors of IA. An interaction effect between psychoticism and total life stress on IA was also found. These findings highlight the role of personality traits and life stress and their interactions in college students' IA. Further research should explore the mechanisms underlying the interaction effect of psychoticism with life stress on IA.