Journal of behavioral addictions

Internet addiction and mental distress in Chinese schoolchildren before and during COVID-19

Updated

Abstract

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

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 .

Full Text

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