Changes in were observed among 504 Chinese schoolchildren across three time points during and after the COVID-19 outbreak.
Group 3 participants showed a decline in problematic internet use over the three time points.
Participants in Groups 1 and 2 experienced an increase in problematic internet use during the same period.
No differences were found in worrying about COVID-19 infection among the groups.
Groups 2 and 3 reported significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19 compared to Group 1 during the recovery period.
A change in problematic internet use was associated with the level of fear of COVID-19 during the recovery period.
Simplified
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The present longitudinal study examined the changes in (problematic smartphone use, problematic social media use, and problematic gaming) and changes in COVID-19-related (fear of COVID-19 and worry concerning COVID-19) across three time-points (before the COVID-19 outbreak, during the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, and during the COVID-19 outbreak recovery period).
METHODS: A total of 504 Chinese schoolchildren completed measures concerning problematic internet use and psychological distress across three time-points. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify participants into three groups of problematic internet use comprising Group 1 (lowest level), Group 2 (moderate level), and Group 3 (highest level).
RESULTS: Statistical analyses showed that as problematic use of internet-related activities declined among Group 3 participants across the three time points, participants in Group 1 and Group 2 had increased problematic use of internet-related activities. Although there was no between-group difference in relation to worrying concerning COVID-19 infection, Groups 2 and 3 had significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19 than Group 1 during the COVID-19 recovery period. Regression analysis showed that change in problematic internet use predicted fear of COVID-19 during the recovery period.
CONCLUSION: The varied levels of problematic internet use among schoolchildren reflect different changing trends of additive behaviors during COVID-19 outbreak and recovery periods.
Key numbers
504
Group composition
Total number of schoolchildren who completed all surveys.
195
Group 1 size
Participants classified as having the lowest level of .
41
Group 3 size
Participants classified as having the highest level of .
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