Transitions in Co-occurring Problematic Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents: A Dual-Systems Perspective.

Abstract

Problematic internet use and depressive symptoms often co-occur during adolescence. Although dual-systems theory suggests that motivational and control systems play important roles in problematic internet use and depressive symptoms, less is known about how these systems are related to their co-occurrence and transitions. This study examined profile transitions in co-occurring problematic internet use and depressive symptoms among adolescents, as well as the predictive roles of dual-system factors in these transitions. The baseline sample included 4,181 Chinese adolescents (57.5% females; Mage = 15.38 years, SD = 1.92), of whom 2,705 provided valid follow-up data one year later. Missing follow-up data were handled using multiple imputation, and several sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the robustness of the findings. Four profiles were identified: low-risk, depressive-dominant, problematic internet use-dominant, and high-risk co-occurring profiles. The low-risk profile was the most stable, and the depressive-dominant profile showed the highest rate of improvement. Higher behavioral inhibition system was associated with the emergence of symptomatic profiles, whereas higher behavioral activation system was associated with improvement in problematic internet use. Lower difficulties in emotion regulation and higher self-control were associated with symptom improvement. These findings reveal the roles of the dual systems across different co-occurring profiles and provide empirical support for early identification and profile-specific intervention among adolescents with different risk profiles.