Associations among screen time, depressive symptoms and sleep in early adolescents: A sex-disaggregated cross-lagged network analysis

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2025-03-04 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108321

Jiahui Chen, Xiao Wei, Yuke Xiong, Ping Ren

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Prior research has established associations among screen time, depressive symptoms, and sleep. However, the nuances of these associations, particularly regarding directionality and sex-specific differences among early adolescents, remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to investigate sex differences in the longitudinal associations among screen time, depressive symptoms, and sleep at the symptom level during early adolescence.

Methods

Our cohort consisted of 2987 students (1451 boys at T1; Mage = 10.52 years), who were assessed twice over six-month intervals. Sex-stratified analyses in the network associations among screen time, depressive symptoms, and sleep were examined via a cross-lagged panel network modeling approach.

Results

The results revealed that depressive symptoms such as “feeling unloved” for boys and “sadness” for girls were the most central symptoms with the greatest influence on other symptoms. Furthermore, depressive symptoms such as “crying” and “loneliness” for boys and “self-hatred” and “loneliness” for girls may act as bridge symptoms, significantly forecasting excessive screen time after six months.

Conclusions

Our findings bolster the compensatory internet use theory by suggesting that screen time may function as a coping mechanism for managing depressive symptoms and sleep problems. These findings advance our comprehension of the evolving dynamics among screen time, depressive symptoms, and sleep across sexes over time. The development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies that accommodate these sex differences could be instrumental in curtailing the onset or intensification of problematic screen use among early adolescents.

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.