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Network Analysis of Problematic Internet Use and Adolescent Psychological Issues: The Role of Socioeconomic Status
How Problematic Internet Use and Mental Health Issues Are Linked in Teens, and How Socioeconomic Status Plays a Role
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Abstract
A total of 24,470 Chinese adolescents were examined for the relationship between anxiety, depression, rumination, and problematic internet use, showing significant variations based on socioeconomic status.
- Symptom rumination and social anxiety emerged as core and bridging symptoms in the network of psychological issues related to problematic internet use.
- Network strength varied significantly between socioeconomic status groups, with high SES adolescents showing a strength of 8.476 and low SES adolescents a strength of 8.683.
- Low-SES adolescents displayed higher centrality in low self-esteem, while high-SES adolescents had higher centrality in time management and performance difficulties.
- The findings suggest that socioeconomic context may be associated with different psychological pathways leading to problematic internet use.
- Caution is warranted in interpreting these results due to limitations in the socioeconomic status measure, which relied on a single subjective item.
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