Internet addiction and suicidal behavior among vocational high school students in Hunan Province, China: A moderated mediation model

Jan 27, 2023Frontiers in public health

Internet addiction and suicidal behavior in vocational high school students in Hunan, China: A study of influencing factors

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Abstract

Among 7,968 vocational high school students in Hunan Province, 37.7% reported suicidal ideation.

  • includes 15.7% reporting plans and 21.8% reporting attempts.
  • is indirectly linked to suicidal behavior through insomnia, depression, anxiety, and stress.
  • Insomnia and emotional issues may play a role in the prevention of suicidal behavior related to Internet addiction.
  • Findings are based on self-reported data, which may not fully capture the mental health status.
  • The sample may not represent all vocational students in China due to its regional focus.

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Key numbers

37.7%
Suicidal Ideation Prevalence
Percentage of students reporting suicidal thoughts.
21.8%
Suicidal Attempts Prevalence
Percentage of students who reported attempting suicide.
15.7%
Suicidal Plans Prevalence
Percentage of students who made suicide plans.

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What this is

  • This research investigates the prevalence of () among vocational high school students in Hunan Province, China.
  • It examines how () relates to through insomnia, depression, anxiety, and stress.
  • Using a structural equation model, the study identifies key mediators in the relationship between and .

Essence

  • The study finds a high prevalence of among vocational high school students in China, with indirectly linked to these behaviors through insomnia and emotional distress.

Key takeaways

  • 37.7% of students reported suicidal ideation, 15.7% made plans, and 21.8% attempted suicide. These rates are significantly higher than global averages for adolescents.
  • is associated with increased levels of insomnia and emotional problems, which mediate the relationship between and .
  • Impulsivity is a strong predictor of , suggesting that students with higher impulsivity are more likely to experience problematic internet use.

Caveats

  • The sample is limited to vocational students in Hunan Province, which may not represent all vocational students in China.
  • Self-report scales were used, which may not fully capture clinical diagnoses or the complexity of .
  • The cross-sectional design limits the ability to determine causal relationships between and .

Definitions

  • Internet addiction (IA): Compulsive use of the Internet characterized by excessive urges and behaviors related to online activities.
  • Suicidal behavior (SB): Includes suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts, reflecting varying levels of intent to harm oneself.

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