Longitudinal bidirectional relations between problematic internet game use and nonsuicidal self-injury among early adolescents: The mediating role of internalizing symptoms

IF 9 1区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, EXPERIMENTAL

Computers in Human Behavior Pub Date : 2025-01-11 DOI:10.1016/j.chb.2025.108564

Xue Gong , Jianhua Zhou , Shihui Hao

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Research has demonstrated the predictive effect of problematic internet game use on adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury. However, few studies have explored the bidirectional relation between problematic internet game use and nonsuicidal self-injury and how internalizing symptoms mediate the bidirectional relation. This study aimed to determine whether internalizing symptoms mediate the bidirectional relations between adolescent problematic internet game use and nonsuicidal self-injury.

Methods

A total of 1249 Chinese youth (42.8% girls; M_age = 10.31 years, SD = 0.88) and their parents participated in a three-wave longitudinal study with a six-month interval. Parents reported adolescent problematic internet game use, whereas youth reported internalizing symptoms and nonsuicidal self-injury.

Results

Cross-lagged panel modeling revealed that the cross-lagged direct paths between problematic internet game use and nonsuicidal self-injury were not statistically significant. Internalizing symptoms fully mediated the path from problematic internet game use to nonsuicidal self-injury, but did not mediate the path from nonsuicidal self-injury to problematic internet game use. In addition, the study found that internalizing symptoms significantly predicted problematic internet game use.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the critical role of internalizing symptoms in the progression from problematic internet game use to nonsuicidal self-injury. Addressing these internalizing problems may break the cycle of maladaptive behaviors and enhance the overall well-being of adolescents.

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青少年早期问题网络游戏使用与非自杀性自伤的纵向双向关系：内化症状的中介作用

研究表明，有问题的网络游戏使用对青少年非自杀性自伤有预测作用。然而，很少有研究探讨问题性网络游戏使用与非自杀性自伤之间的双向关系以及内化症状如何介导这种双向关系。本研究旨在确定内化症状是否介导青少年问题网络游戏使用与非自杀性自伤之间的双向关系。方法共1249例中国青年(女孩42.8%；（年龄= 10.31岁，SD = 0.88），他们的父母每隔6个月参加一次三波纵向研究。父母报告了青少年有问题的网络游戏使用，而青少年报告了内化症状和非自杀性自残。结果交叉滞后面板模型显示，有问题的网络游戏使用与非自杀性自伤之间的交叉滞后直接路径不具有统计学意义。内化症状完全调节了从有问题的网络游戏使用到非自杀性自我伤害的路径，但没有调节从非自杀性自我伤害到有问题的网络游戏使用的路径。此外，研究还发现，内化症状显著预示着有问题的网络游戏使用。结论：这些发现强调了内化症状在有问题的网络游戏使用到非自杀性自伤过程中的关键作用。解决这些内化问题可以打破适应不良行为的循环，提高青少年的整体福祉。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Computers in Human Behavior Multiple-

CiteScore

19.10

自引率

4.00%

发文量

381

审稿时长

40 days

期刊介绍： Computers in Human Behavior is a scholarly journal that explores the psychological aspects of computer use. It covers original theoretical works, research reports, literature reviews, and software and book reviews. The journal examines both the use of computers in psychology, psychiatry, and related fields, and the psychological impact of computer use on individuals, groups, and society. Articles discuss topics such as professional practice, training, research, human development, learning, cognition, personality, and social interactions. It focuses on human interactions with computers, considering the computer as a medium through which human behaviors are shaped and expressed. Professionals interested in the psychological aspects of computer use will find this journal valuable, even with limited knowledge of computers.