Relationships between depression, loneliness and pathological Internet use in adolescents: A cross-lagged analysis

This research aimed to figure out the relationships between depression, loneliness and pathological Internet use by testing 677 middle school students (M.sub.age = 12.12, SD = 0.79) and making a three-wave cross-lagged analysis. The total measuring time was two years, with a time interval of one year. The results showed the following: (1) There were significantly positive relationships between depression, loneliness and pathological Internet use at three time points; (2) Depression at T1 and T2 could significantly and positively predict pathological Internet use at T2 and T3, while loneliness could not. Pathological Internet use at T1 could significantly and positively predict the feelings of depression and loneliness at T2, while pathological Internet use at T2 could not significantly and positively predict the feelings of depression and loneliness at T3. Thus, results were inconclusive regarding whether PIU led to later psychiatric symptoms. This complex interactions varied with time and did not vary with gender. The findings show important significance for promotion of adolescents' psychology development and the prevention of pathological Internet use.
Author(s): Xin Fang [sup.1] [sup.2] , Mei Tian [sup.3] , Ruihua Wang [sup.3] , Peng Wang [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.410585.d, 0000 0001 0495 1805, Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal [...]