The longitudinal association between problematic Internet use and psychotic-like experiences in adolescents: Mediated by sleep disturbance and moderated by psychological resilience

Mar 5, 2025Addictive behaviors

Problematic Internet Use and Psychotic-Like Experiences in Teens Linked Over Time Through Sleep Problems and Influenced by Mental Resilience

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Abstract

In a study involving 27,260 Chinese adolescents, problematic Internet use (PIU) was linked to an increase in psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) after six months.

Problematic Internet use (PIU) is associated with a direct increase in psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) over time.
Sleep disturbance mediates the relationship between PIU and future PLEs.
Psychological resilience moderates the effects of both PIU and sleep disturbance on PLEs.
Findings suggest that adolescents with higher PIU may be at greater risk for experiencing PLEs due to disrupted sleep.

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Problematic Internet use (PIU) has been empirically identified as a risk factor for future psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) among adolescents. This study aimed to examine the short-term predictive role of PIU on PLEs in adolescents and investigate their underlying mechanisms, focusing on the mediating role of sleep disturbance and the moderating role of psychological resilience. A total of 27,260 Chinese adolescents (52.2 % males, Mean = 14.33 ± 1.49) were included for analyses in this two-wave longitudinal study conducted six months apart. The baseline survey (time 1, T1) was between December 17 and 26, 2021, and the follow-up survey (time 2, T2) was between May 17 and June 5, 2022. Participants reported their socio-demographics, T1 PIU, T1 sleep disturbance, T1 resilience, T1 PLEs, T2 PLEs, and T2 negative life events. After controlling for socio-demographics, T1 PLEs, and T2 negative life events, T1 PIU exacerbated T2 PLEs directly and indirectly through T1 sleep disturbance, with T1 resilience moderating both parts of the mediation pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms linking PIU to PLEs among adolescents and offer valuable implications for clinical practice and school policy. age

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The longitudinal association between problematic Internet use and psychotic-like experiences in adolescents: Mediated by sleep disturbance and moderated by psychological resilience

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