Problematic internet use, the behavioral activation system/behavioral inhibition system, and self-control in children and adolescents: A network analysis

IF 2.1 2区心理学 Q2 PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL

Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology Pub Date : 2025-10-14 DOI:10.1016/j.appdev.2025.101881

Hui Zhou , Xinyi Xing , Jiaqi Zhang , Guangteng Meng , Kesong Hu , Ping Wei , Manqi Chen , Jing Xiao , Qi Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

According to dual systems theory, excessive sensitivity to rewards and punishments, along with weakened self-control, contributes to the high prevalence of problematic internet use (PIU) among Chinese children and adolescents. This study investigates how these dual systems affect PIU and whether their relationships differ across age groups.

Method

A sample of 4029 Chinese children (9–12 years) and adolescents (13–18 years) completed measures from the Behavioral Activation System/Behavioral Inhibition System Scales (BAS/BIS), the Brief Self-Control Scale (SCS) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). We used t-tests and network analysis to examine both the age-related differences and the network structures.

Results

Compared with children, adolescents presented increased scores for total BAS, BAS (drive), and IAT but lower scores for SCS total and SCS (impulse control). Network analysis revealed that both the overall network and the separate networks for the two age groups identified SCSi (impulse control) and IAT as central bridge nodes and the negative connection between SCSi (impulse control) and IAT as the strongest edge. Additionally, a comparison of the network structures between the two age groups revealed that the negative correlation between the SCSd (self-discipline) and BASf (fun seeking) scores was stronger in adolescents than in children.

Conclusions

This study breaks through the dual-systems theory in a Chinese context by revealing the similarities and differences between the dual systems network and PIU among Chinese children and adolescents. Additionally, it highlights age-specific mechanisms, which can inform targeted interventions for internet dependence.

查看原文本刊更多论文

儿童和青少年的网络问题、行为激活系统/行为抑制系统与自我控制：一个网络分析

目的根据双系统理论，对奖惩的过度敏感和自我控制能力的减弱是导致中国儿童青少年网络使用问题（PIU）高发的原因。本研究探讨了这些双重系统是如何影响PIU的，以及它们之间的关系在不同年龄组之间是否存在差异。方法对4029名中国儿童（9-12岁）和青少年（13-18岁）进行行为激活系统/行为抑制系统量表（BAS/BIS）、简易自我控制量表（SCS）和网络成瘾测试（IAT）。我们使用t检验和网络分析来检验年龄相关差异和网络结构。结果与儿童相比，青少年总BAS、BAS（驱动）和IAT得分较高，而总SCS和冲动控制得分较低。网络分析表明，两个年龄组的整体网络和单独网络都将SCSi（冲动控制）和IAT作为中心桥梁节点，SCSi（冲动控制）和IAT之间的负连接是最强的边缘。此外，网络结构在两个年龄组之间的比较显示，SCSd（自律）和BASf（寻求乐趣）得分之间的负相关在青少年中比在儿童中更强。结论本研究在中国情境下突破了双系统理论，揭示了双系统网络与中国儿童青少年PIU的异同。此外，它强调了针对年龄的机制，可以为针对网络依赖的有针对性的干预提供信息。

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

Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL-

CiteScore

5.10

自引率

3.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology focuses on two key concepts: human development, which refers to the psychological transformations and modifications that occur during the life cycle and influence an individual behavior within the social milieu; and application of knowledge, which is derived from investigating variables in the developmental process. Its contributions cover research that deals with traditional life span markets (age, social roles, biological status, environmental variables) and broadens the scopes of study to include variables that promote understanding of psychological processes and their onset and development within the life span. Most importantly.